Sales coaching can make the difference between hitting or missing your sales goals. Every rep can benefit from sales coaching, whether you’ve worked in sales for years or you’re relatively new to the field. The problem with sales coaching, though, is that many people get defensive. They view coaching as a critique, and they don’t like their shortcomings called out.

If this sounds like you, there are some steps you can take to become more coachable. Erin Rodrigue, a junior staff writer for HubSpot’s marketing and sales blogs, says coachability is key to your success in sales. We share her tips on how anyone can become more coachable in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

Readjust the “me vs. them” mentality. When someone is coaching you, you may forget that you’re on the same team, working toward the same goal. Even if the feedback is difficult to hear, Rodrigue says you should remember it’s being given to help you grow.

Don’t make excuses. You may want to blame someone else or your company when you are being coached, but don’t do this. For coaching to work, Rodrigue says you must prioritize improvement over being right. Take ownership and leave your ego at the door.

Embrace a beginner’s mindset. If you’ve worked in sales for some time, you may have fallen into some patterns that aren’t working so well anymore. Thinking like a beginner gives you permission to be curious and open to learning. For example, you may not want to explore a new sales tool or closing technique. But by embracing a beginner’s mindset, you make it okay to take risks and improve with practice. Rodrigue says this type of mindset can take your coaching to new levels.

Engage in a dialogue. In coaching conversations, don’t just nod “yes” and go along with what your coach says. It’s important to ask questions when you need clarification or ask for details on how you can improve. This is helpful to you and also sends the message that you’re open to learning and ready to grow, Rodrigue says.

Your willingness to be coached shows your willingness to continually improve. Coachable people generally have a growth mindset. They don’t shy away from learning new perspectives, and they stay open to exploring concepts and ideas they don’t understand well. You can work to improve your coachability by considering the points above.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Erin Rodrigue is a junior staff writer for HubSpot’s marketing and sales blogs. Her background is in e-learning, web design and copywriting.