Which action best demonstrates coachability when receiving criticism from a supervisor?

• A. Defend your actions and justify them.
• B. Self-reflect, not take it personally, and decide what to improve.
• C. Ignore the feedback and continue as before.
• D. Gossip about the supervisor.

Answer: (B)

When you’re given criticism, openness to learning and a plan to improve show true coachability. The best approach is to pause, reflect on what was said, not take it personally, and decide concrete steps to improve. This demonstrates a mindset focused on growth, accountability, and applying feedback to perform better next time. It’s about using the supervisor’s input as a tool to enhance skills or behavior, asking clarifying questions if anything isn’t clear, and then outlining specific changes and deadlines to follow up on.

Defending your actions signals resistance to feedback and hampers growth. Ignoring the feedback means you miss the opportunity to improve, and gossiping about the supervisor damages trust and professionalism. By choosing to self-reflect and plan for improvement, you show you’re committed to development and to the team’s success.