Stop Calling Contractors "Coachable." That's Called an Employee.

Besides the fact "coachable" is a moving goal post no one ever defines (so they can use it against you when you don't do what they want)…

And besides the fact that the more "coachable" a company requires their contractors to be, the more top-down and controlling their culture typically is…

When biz owners say they want a "coachable" sales pro, and this sales pro happens to be a 1099 contractor…

bruh.

You just tattled on yourself.

Here's what the IRS actually says about the difference between a contractor and an employee:

"The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the RESULT of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done."

Read that again.

Result. Not method.

So when you post a job looking for a "coachable" contractor…

What you're really saying is:

"I want someone who'll do exactly what I tell them, when I tell them, and how I tell them… but I don't wanna pay payroll taxes or benefits."

You want someone that's going to accept your "feedback" as gospel and not push back or "let their ego get invovled".

That's called an employee, my guy.

"Coachable" means you're gonna dictate their process. Their schedule, appraoch, how they spend their time, what they say on calls, ect.

All the things you are NOT allowed to control with a 1099.

You can't have it both ways.

But we do it in this space ALL the time.

Everyone accepts it as normal.

But normal doesn't mean legal, and this is textbook misclassification.

And when the IRS comes knocking? Your LinkedIn post won't save you.

Either:

Hire a W-2, pay them properly, and "coach" them all you want

OR

Hire a true contractor, pay them for RESULTS, and stay out of their kitchen

If you need someone coachable, you need an employee.

If you need someone to deliver a result using their own expertise and methods, hire a contractor.

Stop trying to get employee compliance at contractor rates.

Do better.