I had a conversation on The WOW Factor podcast with my friend, Grant Van Cleve, CEO of Buy It Installed, Inc. and Chairman of Tech Coast Angels, and asked him about investing in leaders. Grant has invested in over 50 startups, so he knows what he's doing when it comes to investing in businesses and people. It goes without saying that leaders should have a certain level of intelligence and expertise in their field. Beyond that, handling the ups and downs of starting and maintaining a business requires courage and persistence.

Grant emphasized that the number one quality he looks for is a coachable entrepreneur. These are the people who demonstrate a level of humility and a commitment to growth.

Here are four ways to become a more coachable leader:

Establish clear goals

I can't stress enough the importance of setting goals when leading a business. Not only does your team need to understand your goals, but outside investors need to see a clear plan of where you are going. The business environment is continuously changing, and people need to know that you can keep a clear vision. Investors and people on your team won't be able to trust you as a leader if you don't know what your goals are and don't have a clear path for how to get there.

Be vulnerable and accountable

One of the biggest red flags to investors is someone who can't admit to making a mistake. A coachable leader will know when to own up to errors and when to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of coachability. Vulnerability and accountability will also help to build trust between you and your team.

Demonstrate curiosity

Coachable leaders never stop learning and improving. Entrepreneurs and leaders often have a grasp of what their strengths are, but a true sign of coachability is a leader who seeks feedback and is willing to listen to the input. Showing curiosity also demonstrates the desire to try something new and applying the knowledge from those experiences.

Take action

Let's face it, as a leader, we have an endless list of tasks and "to-do's," but we need to know how to take action with the growing list. By taking action, we show that we are not afraid to get the work done and stick to our commitments. Investors want leaders who are committed and can handle the daily grind of the business.