Sometimes you have to give yourself the push.
Because no one else is going to do it for you. đ
#MarshallGoldsmith #Motivation #Success
Because no one else is going to do it for you. đ
#MarshallGoldsmith #Motivation #Success
Marshall Goldsmith
These are the best posts from Marshall Goldsmith.
66 viral posts with 50,778 likes, 5,721 comments, and 4,733 shares.
61 image posts, 0 carousel posts, 4 video posts, 0 text posts.
đ Go deeper on Marshall Goldsmith's LinkedIn with the ContentIn Chrome extension đ
Best Posts by Marshall Goldsmith on LinkedIn
Face to face conversations are very intimate.
It exposes us to peopleâs immediate reactions to our words.
It leaves us raw with honesty and the lack of distance we couldâve used to hide.
And yet, thatâs precisely why we need to have more of these conversations.
Hard conversations are best approached with honest and open communication.
đč: Skin_deep on IG
It exposes us to peopleâs immediate reactions to our words.
It leaves us raw with honesty and the lack of distance we couldâve used to hide.
And yet, thatâs precisely why we need to have more of these conversations.
Hard conversations are best approached with honest and open communication.
đč: Skin_deep on IG
Our lives donât magically just get better. We have to make choices to make our lives better.
Cut out the negatives and look at whatâs worth celebrating!
When you look at whatâs good, youâll make room to find even more.
#MarshallGoldsmith #career #personalgrowth
Cut out the negatives and look at whatâs worth celebrating!
When you look at whatâs good, youâll make room to find even more.
#MarshallGoldsmith #career #personalgrowth
Sometimes, our greatest triumphs come after our greatest pains.
Hats off to you, Matthias Steiner! đ„đȘđ»
đœïž: everythingGYM
#MarshallGoldsmith #family #hardwork
Hats off to you, Matthias Steiner! đ„đȘđ»
đœïž: everythingGYM
#MarshallGoldsmith #family #hardwork
For better or for worse, everything changes.
Itâs a valuable skill to be able to look back and learn from your past, without getting hung up on it.
Learn to pivot and lean into growth.
#MarshallGoldsmith #motivation #positivity
Itâs a valuable skill to be able to look back and learn from your past, without getting hung up on it.
Learn to pivot and lean into growth.
#MarshallGoldsmith #motivation #positivity
This is one of my main philosophies as I look to take on clients:
I could give you the best advice in the worldâŠ
But if you donât have the open mindedness to look at your life with a new perspective or truly take action to create change⊠youâll stay stagnant.
You have to be prepared to do things in ways that you arenât used to.
If you want to do better, stay curious and adaptable.
#MarshallGoldsmith #coaching #advice
I could give you the best advice in the worldâŠ
But if you donât have the open mindedness to look at your life with a new perspective or truly take action to create change⊠youâll stay stagnant.
You have to be prepared to do things in ways that you arenât used to.
If you want to do better, stay curious and adaptable.
#MarshallGoldsmith #coaching #advice
Donât let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey.
If you fall, get back upâŠ
And dance it off just like how this little guy did. đș
#MarshallGoldsmith #Failure #Success
If you fall, get back upâŠ
And dance it off just like how this little guy did. đș
#MarshallGoldsmith #Failure #Success
A GREAT QUOTE FROM PETER DRUCKER! WHAT DOES THIS QUOTE MEAN TO YOU? PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENT.\n\nMolly Tschang Rita McGrath Richie Norton Oleg Vishnepolsky Dr. Oleg Konovalov Peter Bregman Pau Gasol Rhett Power Sanyin Siang Carol Kauffman PhD PCC Tony Hsieh Verne Harnish
Happy US Halloween! PLEASE READ FOR THE STORY OF MY LIFE.
My favorite character from my favorite movie is the Scarecrow from 'the Wizard of Oz.' To me, 'The Wizard of Oz' is a wonderful story about life itself.
The major characters are looking for wisdom, courage, love, and a home. They already have what they are looking for, but do not know it.
The Scarecrow is looking for wisdom, which he already has. He finally begins to feel wise when the wizard gives him a âDoctor of Thinkology Degree.â
I identify with the Scarecrow because much of my life has been spent trying to prove I was wise. That is one reason I have a PhD!
My key learning from the Wizard of Oz is that what we are seeking is not âout thereâ in the Land of Oz. It is âin hereâ inside of us.
Keep looking inside yourself for the answers.
Marshall Goldsmith
Mark C. Thompson, Dr. Bonita Thompson, Martin Lindstrom, Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel, Scott Osman, Jacquelyn Lane, Frank Wagner, Aicha Evans, John A. Byrne, 100 Coaches Agency, Elliott Masie, Jim Yong Kim, Guy Kawasaki, Caroline Webb, đ Michael Bungay Stanier, Chester Elton, Peter Bregman, Sally Helgesen, Bo Jing, Robert Waldinger, Howard H. Prager, Jasmin Thomson, PhD, Kelly Goldsmith, L Gregory Jones, sudhir venkatesh, Srikumar Rao, Telly Leung
#100Coaches
#MarshallGoldsmithStakeholderCenteredCoaching
My favorite character from my favorite movie is the Scarecrow from 'the Wizard of Oz.' To me, 'The Wizard of Oz' is a wonderful story about life itself.
The major characters are looking for wisdom, courage, love, and a home. They already have what they are looking for, but do not know it.
The Scarecrow is looking for wisdom, which he already has. He finally begins to feel wise when the wizard gives him a âDoctor of Thinkology Degree.â
I identify with the Scarecrow because much of my life has been spent trying to prove I was wise. That is one reason I have a PhD!
My key learning from the Wizard of Oz is that what we are seeking is not âout thereâ in the Land of Oz. It is âin hereâ inside of us.
Keep looking inside yourself for the answers.
Marshall Goldsmith
Mark C. Thompson, Dr. Bonita Thompson, Martin Lindstrom, Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel, Scott Osman, Jacquelyn Lane, Frank Wagner, Aicha Evans, John A. Byrne, 100 Coaches Agency, Elliott Masie, Jim Yong Kim, Guy Kawasaki, Caroline Webb, đ Michael Bungay Stanier, Chester Elton, Peter Bregman, Sally Helgesen, Bo Jing, Robert Waldinger, Howard H. Prager, Jasmin Thomson, PhD, Kelly Goldsmith, L Gregory Jones, sudhir venkatesh, Srikumar Rao, Telly Leung
#100Coaches
#MarshallGoldsmithStakeholderCenteredCoaching
Are you living your life â or just simply existing? đ€
In my new book, I teach you how to not dwell on your past,
And learn how to love the life that youâre living.
Get your copy on Amazon:Â https://gtly.to/AZVP4qliV
#Quote #WordsOfWisdom #Success #leadership
In my new book, I teach you how to not dwell on your past,
And learn how to love the life that youâre living.
Get your copy on Amazon:Â https://gtly.to/AZVP4qliV
#Quote #WordsOfWisdom #Success #leadership
A green polo shirt and khaki pantsâŠ
I only have one outfit in my closet.
đ I have a rack of more than 50 green polo shirts
đ And another with 27 identical pairs of khaki pants
I do this because it makes me more efficient.
Now, I donât worry about what to wear each day.
Moral of the story:
Thereâs beauty in simplicity.
Identify the essentials and go from there.
#MarshallGoldsmith #Leadership #Motivational
I only have one outfit in my closet.
đ I have a rack of more than 50 green polo shirts
đ And another with 27 identical pairs of khaki pants
I do this because it makes me more efficient.
Now, I donât worry about what to wear each day.
Moral of the story:
Thereâs beauty in simplicity.
Identify the essentials and go from there.
#MarshallGoldsmith #Leadership #Motivational
My friends, I have some exciting news to share đđ»
Chief Executive Magazine has featured one of my best-sellers, What Got You Here Wonât Get You There, in their top 10 favorite business books of all-time list!
To celebrate, Iâve teamed up with LIT BooksâŠ
Weâre giving away 100 FREE videobooks of this bestseller.
Thatâs rightâonly 100!
All you have to do is go to the link in my comments and use code âWGYHâ for access.
Canât wait for you to watch What Got You Here Wonât Get You There đ
Chief Executive Magazine has featured one of my best-sellers, What Got You Here Wonât Get You There, in their top 10 favorite business books of all-time list!
To celebrate, Iâve teamed up with LIT BooksâŠ
Weâre giving away 100 FREE videobooks of this bestseller.
Thatâs rightâonly 100!
All you have to do is go to the link in my comments and use code âWGYHâ for access.
Canât wait for you to watch What Got You Here Wonât Get You There đ
At 77, I have concluded that we are never to old to have fun!
The next time you start acting too 'serious' remember the child that is inside of you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is getting better and better!
The next time you start acting too 'serious' remember the child that is inside of you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is getting better and better!
If we want other people to share their perceptions and help us see our blind spots, we need to learn how to be quiet.
Many leaders ask for feedback and then immediately begin explaining, defending themselves, correcting details, or proving why the other person is wrong.
The moment we argue with another person's perception, we teach them to stop sharing it.
If you ask for input, listen.
Do not rate it.
Do not rebut it.
Do not justify yourself.
Just listen.
Ancient wisdom teaches us, âThe quieter we become, the more we hear.â
That lesson is as valuable today as it was centuries ago.
The next time you ask someone for an opinion, resist the urge to explain your side of the story.
Listen quietly.
You do not have to agree with everything you hear. You do not have to act on every suggestion.
But you do need to hear it.
Then say two simple words:
âThank you.â
Life is good.
Marshall
Many leaders ask for feedback and then immediately begin explaining, defending themselves, correcting details, or proving why the other person is wrong.
The moment we argue with another person's perception, we teach them to stop sharing it.
If you ask for input, listen.
Do not rate it.
Do not rebut it.
Do not justify yourself.
Just listen.
Ancient wisdom teaches us, âThe quieter we become, the more we hear.â
That lesson is as valuable today as it was centuries ago.
The next time you ask someone for an opinion, resist the urge to explain your side of the story.
Listen quietly.
You do not have to agree with everything you hear. You do not have to act on every suggestion.
But you do need to hear it.
Then say two simple words:
âThank you.â
Life is good.
Marshall
When we cling to the past, we do not stay still, we go backward.
We have all done this. We hold on to the past, to old regrets, to mistakes we cannot change, or to problems that are not really ours to solve. What begins as responsibility slowly turns into burden. What begins as caring slowly turns into being dragged.
Letting go is not about being careless or indifferent. It is about recognizing what no longer serves you, what you cannot control, and what is costing you peace in the present moment.
When we let go, we create new space for learning, for growth, and for a little more peace today. For joy.
Here is my question for you:
What are you still holding on to that may be time to let go of?
I would love your reflections and comments.
Life is good.
Marshall
We have all done this. We hold on to the past, to old regrets, to mistakes we cannot change, or to problems that are not really ours to solve. What begins as responsibility slowly turns into burden. What begins as caring slowly turns into being dragged.
Letting go is not about being careless or indifferent. It is about recognizing what no longer serves you, what you cannot control, and what is costing you peace in the present moment.
When we let go, we create new space for learning, for growth, and for a little more peace today. For joy.
Here is my question for you:
What are you still holding on to that may be time to let go of?
I would love your reflections and comments.
Life is good.
Marshall
Peter Drucker taught me the imprortance of teaching leaders what to stop many years ago. This quote was a major inspiration for 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There'.
Many leaders believe improvement comes from learning new skills. In my experience, improvement often comes from stopping old behaviors.
Do you want to be a better listener? Stop talking so much.
Do you want to be a better team player? Stop making destructive comments about your coworkers.
Do you want to be a better delegator? Stop adding too much value.
The list goes on.
One of the most common misconceptions about behavior change is that it requires years of analysis, reflection, or therapy. While those approaches can certainly help, many successful leaders improve in a much simpler way.
They identify one behavior that is getting in their way.
Then they stop doing it.
The challenge is not understanding what to do. Leaders often know that. The challenge is having the discipline to stop doing what they know they should not do.
Sometimes our greatest growth comes not from adding something new, but from letting go of something old. Sometimes our behavior, like the rose bush, needs a little trimming!
Life is good.
Marshall
Many leaders believe improvement comes from learning new skills. In my experience, improvement often comes from stopping old behaviors.
Do you want to be a better listener? Stop talking so much.
Do you want to be a better team player? Stop making destructive comments about your coworkers.
Do you want to be a better delegator? Stop adding too much value.
The list goes on.
One of the most common misconceptions about behavior change is that it requires years of analysis, reflection, or therapy. While those approaches can certainly help, many successful leaders improve in a much simpler way.
They identify one behavior that is getting in their way.
Then they stop doing it.
The challenge is not understanding what to do. Leaders often know that. The challenge is having the discipline to stop doing what they know they should not do.
Sometimes our greatest growth comes not from adding something new, but from letting go of something old. Sometimes our behavior, like the rose bush, needs a little trimming!
Life is good.
Marshall
I am deeply honored to be the second author of 'The Power of the Learning Mindset' with
Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore, Ed.D.
Our book reached #9 on the USA Today bestseller list â across all books, including fiction. Lilian has done an amazing job.
In this new world, business leaders face unprecedented challenges.
Technology can transform entire industries overnight. Markets shift. Expectations evolve. Stability is temporary.
How do you stay relevant in the middle of constant change?
How do you build teams that thrive under pressure?
How do you foster innovation while still maintaining operational excellence?
The answer is both simple and demanding.
Executives, managers, and team leaders at every level must be learners, leaders, and coaches at the same time.
Learning is no longer optional. It is the foundation of modern leadership.
Learn to love learning. If you do not, it may be time to reconsider the role you want to play.
Life is good.
Marshall
Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore, Ed.D.
Our book reached #9 on the USA Today bestseller list â across all books, including fiction. Lilian has done an amazing job.
In this new world, business leaders face unprecedented challenges.
Technology can transform entire industries overnight. Markets shift. Expectations evolve. Stability is temporary.
How do you stay relevant in the middle of constant change?
How do you build teams that thrive under pressure?
How do you foster innovation while still maintaining operational excellence?
The answer is both simple and demanding.
Executives, managers, and team leaders at every level must be learners, leaders, and coaches at the same time.
Learning is no longer optional. It is the foundation of modern leadership.
Learn to love learning. If you do not, it may be time to reconsider the role you want to play.
Life is good.
Marshall
We all want to help others. We want to be generous. We want to be kind.
But saying âyesâ to everything is not generosity. It is a recipe for burnout.
Every time we say yes to something, we are also saying no to something else.
Our time is limited. Our energy is limited. We cannot do everything for everyone.
You cannot help anyone very well if you are running on empty.
Learning to say ânoâ does not mean becoming selfish or uncaring. It means making thoughtful choices about where you can make the greatest positive difference.
Say no with kindness. Say no with clarity. Say no without guilt.
Great leaders donât try to do everything. They have the wisdom to understand what matters most, the courage to let go of what doesnât, and the discipline to focus their energy where it can do the most good.
Sometimes saying ânoâ is what makes your most important âyesâ possible.
Life is good.
Marshall
But saying âyesâ to everything is not generosity. It is a recipe for burnout.
Every time we say yes to something, we are also saying no to something else.
Our time is limited. Our energy is limited. We cannot do everything for everyone.
You cannot help anyone very well if you are running on empty.
Learning to say ânoâ does not mean becoming selfish or uncaring. It means making thoughtful choices about where you can make the greatest positive difference.
Say no with kindness. Say no with clarity. Say no without guilt.
Great leaders donât try to do everything. They have the wisdom to understand what matters most, the courage to let go of what doesnât, and the discipline to focus their energy where it can do the most good.
Sometimes saying ânoâ is what makes your most important âyesâ possible.
Life is good.
Marshall
We all want to be loved and respected. Sometimes we have to make a choice.
In many cases, itâs fine to tell people what they want to hear.
Telling an older person, âYou look great!â is perfectly OK. I am soon going to be celebrating my 77th birthday, I hear this all the time, and I donât object!
But in other cases, we need to tell people what they need to hear â even when it isnât pleasant.
As a CEO coach, Iâve told many leaders, âItâs time for you to go.â
- Sometimes they were at the top with nowhere to go but down if they stayed. I suggested that they 'leave at the top'!
- Sometimes they had done a good job, but it was time to let someone else lead.
- Sometimes I wanted them to leave on their own terms - not wait until the Board fired them.
They all thanked me for my honestly.
The ones that left tured out to be grateful. In a couple of cases, the ones that stayed regretted it later.
They all knew that I was doing this for their own benefit.
Before you speak, breathe.
Think.
Consider your relationship with this other human being.
Then make your choice.
Life is good.
Marshall
In many cases, itâs fine to tell people what they want to hear.
Telling an older person, âYou look great!â is perfectly OK. I am soon going to be celebrating my 77th birthday, I hear this all the time, and I donât object!
But in other cases, we need to tell people what they need to hear â even when it isnât pleasant.
As a CEO coach, Iâve told many leaders, âItâs time for you to go.â
- Sometimes they were at the top with nowhere to go but down if they stayed. I suggested that they 'leave at the top'!
- Sometimes they had done a good job, but it was time to let someone else lead.
- Sometimes I wanted them to leave on their own terms - not wait until the Board fired them.
They all thanked me for my honestly.
The ones that left tured out to be grateful. In a couple of cases, the ones that stayed regretted it later.
They all knew that I was doing this for their own benefit.
Before you speak, breathe.
Think.
Consider your relationship with this other human being.
Then make your choice.
Life is good.
Marshall
In all my years of coaching, Iâve noticed one simple skill that separates the great from the near-great.
Itâs not brilliance, charisma, or strategy. Itâs presence.
The truly great leaders make you feel like youâre the only person in the room.
When someone gives you their full attention, the noise fades away.
You feel valued.
You feel seen.
And in that moment, the relationship grows stronger.
What truly matters is how you make the other person feel.
Great leaders donât just manage - they connect. And that connection begins with the rare gift of being fully present.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask all the questions you want!
Itâs not brilliance, charisma, or strategy. Itâs presence.
The truly great leaders make you feel like youâre the only person in the room.
When someone gives you their full attention, the noise fades away.
You feel valued.
You feel seen.
And in that moment, the relationship grows stronger.
What truly matters is how you make the other person feel.
Great leaders donât just manage - they connect. And that connection begins with the rare gift of being fully present.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask all the questions you want!
"The best gift I have ever given is my time, energy and attention."
When I asked one of my great clients, "What is the greatest gift you have given to anyone?" That was her answer.
Upon reflection, Buddha's advice is deeper than my original interpretation. I was thinking, "This means that even poor people can give away something that they have."
For my clients - and probably for you - "Having very little." means time, energy and attention.
"Give - even if you only have a little."
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. MGAI is aimed at helping you have a good life - and, even better, helping you help others.
When I asked one of my great clients, "What is the greatest gift you have given to anyone?" That was her answer.
Upon reflection, Buddha's advice is deeper than my original interpretation. I was thinking, "This means that even poor people can give away something that they have."
For my clients - and probably for you - "Having very little." means time, energy and attention.
"Give - even if you only have a little."
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. MGAI is aimed at helping you have a good life - and, even better, helping you help others.
When you become a leader, it stops being 'all about you' and becomes all about them. This can be a very difficult transition. Especially for first-line leaders.
In some cases, you may still need to 'educate' them, that is OK. On the whole, you need to stop proving how smart you are and let them 'educate' you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. At my age, my mission is not to prove how smart I am, but to develop MGAI to be a lot smarter than me!
In some cases, you may still need to 'educate' them, that is OK. On the whole, you need to stop proving how smart you are and let them 'educate' you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. At my age, my mission is not to prove how smart I am, but to develop MGAI to be a lot smarter than me!
Focus on yourself. Not just the mountain.
As Sir Edmund Hillary reminded us, the ultimate challenge is not what is in front of us. It is what is within us.
The biggest obstacle you will ever face is not your competition or your circumstances. It is you.
We all have our own mountains. And in many ways, the climb never ends.
That is not a problem. That is life.
The goal is not to âwinâ once and be finished. The goal is to keep growing.
To keep learning.
To keep improving.
One step at a time.
When we focus on becoming a little better each day, the mountain takes care of itself.
Life is good.
Marshall
As Sir Edmund Hillary reminded us, the ultimate challenge is not what is in front of us. It is what is within us.
The biggest obstacle you will ever face is not your competition or your circumstances. It is you.
We all have our own mountains. And in many ways, the climb never ends.
That is not a problem. That is life.
The goal is not to âwinâ once and be finished. The goal is to keep growing.
To keep learning.
To keep improving.
One step at a time.
When we focus on becoming a little better each day, the mountain takes care of itself.
Life is good.
Marshall
Being smart is not the same as being open!
Many high achievers already have a full cup.
Itâs filled with past success, strong opinions, and a long track record of being right.
That cup got them here.
And now itâs the very thing that keeps them stuck.
When your cup is full, feedback spills out.
New ideas bounce off.
Different perspectives feel threatening instead of helpful.
Real growth requires the willingness to empty the cup enough to listen.
Enough to ask, âWhat might I be missing?â
Enough to learn from someone who doesnât look as accomplished as you.
You donât need to know less.
You need to be less attached to what you already know.
Life is good.
Marshall
Many high achievers already have a full cup.
Itâs filled with past success, strong opinions, and a long track record of being right.
That cup got them here.
And now itâs the very thing that keeps them stuck.
When your cup is full, feedback spills out.
New ideas bounce off.
Different perspectives feel threatening instead of helpful.
Real growth requires the willingness to empty the cup enough to listen.
Enough to ask, âWhat might I be missing?â
Enough to learn from someone who doesnât look as accomplished as you.
You donât need to know less.
You need to be less attached to what you already know.
Life is good.
Marshall
As affluence has increased in many parts of the world, so has depression and anxiety.
One reason is that many people spend too much time comparing themselves to others.
Social media and modern culture constantly encourage us to measure our lives against people we do not even know - people who are often presenting a carefully edited version of reality.
Wake up. Do your best. Then let go of the endless comparison game. Most of the people you envy are not thinking about you at all. They are busy worrying about themselves.
Life is short. You do not need to live someone elseâs life. You do not need to win someone elseâs race.
Be yourself. Build the life that is meaningful to you. Appreciate your own gifts, your own timing, and your own journey.
The sun and the moon both shine brilliantly - each in their own time and each in their own way.
Life is good.
Marshall
One reason is that many people spend too much time comparing themselves to others.
Social media and modern culture constantly encourage us to measure our lives against people we do not even know - people who are often presenting a carefully edited version of reality.
Wake up. Do your best. Then let go of the endless comparison game. Most of the people you envy are not thinking about you at all. They are busy worrying about themselves.
Life is short. You do not need to live someone elseâs life. You do not need to win someone elseâs race.
Be yourself. Build the life that is meaningful to you. Appreciate your own gifts, your own timing, and your own journey.
The sun and the moon both shine brilliantly - each in their own time and each in their own way.
Life is good.
Marshall
hy do the great leaders that I work with have a coach? They want to improve!
We can all get better! Anyone who thinks they have no room for improvement needs to work on HUMILITY.
In many ways, the more successful we become, the more room for improvement we have!
Why?
More new great opportunities keep emerging - that we have not anticipated!
In my own life, my work today is so different than it was even five years ago. I am now learning all about AI and its potential impact in the world (MarshallGoldsmith.ai). I have developed a new website, where I give away hundreds of my articles and videos (MarshallGoldsmith.com).
I hope that some of what I am learning helps you!
As Bob Dylan said, "He is is not busy being born, is busy dying."
Life is good.
Marshall
We can all get better! Anyone who thinks they have no room for improvement needs to work on HUMILITY.
In many ways, the more successful we become, the more room for improvement we have!
Why?
More new great opportunities keep emerging - that we have not anticipated!
In my own life, my work today is so different than it was even five years ago. I am now learning all about AI and its potential impact in the world (MarshallGoldsmith.ai). I have developed a new website, where I give away hundreds of my articles and videos (MarshallGoldsmith.com).
I hope that some of what I am learning helps you!
As Bob Dylan said, "He is is not busy being born, is busy dying."
Life is good.
Marshall
The smartest person in the room is the one who is learning from everyone else, not the one trying to show everyone else how smart they are.
We learn very little by repeating our accomplishments, proving our intelligence, or reminding people how important we are.
We learn a lot when we listen, stay curious, and remain open to perspectives beyond our own.
People are seldom impressed by interest in ourselves . They are impressed by our humility, kindness, curiosity, and interest in them.
The wisest people I have met were not never trying to dominate conversations or prove they were right. They asked thoughtful questions. They listened carefully. They made other people feel valued.
Intelligence may earn admiration for a moment. Caring about others earns respect that lasts.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you for your amazing support! I was just listed by Favikon as the #1 Creator for Executive and Leadership Coaching for All Social Media in the World. I am trying to help people have just a little better life. Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
We learn very little by repeating our accomplishments, proving our intelligence, or reminding people how important we are.
We learn a lot when we listen, stay curious, and remain open to perspectives beyond our own.
People are seldom impressed by interest in ourselves . They are impressed by our humility, kindness, curiosity, and interest in them.
The wisest people I have met were not never trying to dominate conversations or prove they were right. They asked thoughtful questions. They listened carefully. They made other people feel valued.
Intelligence may earn admiration for a moment. Caring about others earns respect that lasts.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you for your amazing support! I was just listed by Favikon as the #1 Creator for Executive and Leadership Coaching for All Social Media in the World. I am trying to help people have just a little better life. Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
Why are you angry in the first place?
Most of the time, it is not worth it.
Abraham Lincoln said,
âYou can tell the greatness of a person by what makes them angry.â
I think he was a very wise man.
Not all anger is bad. But much of it is misplaced.
There is an old Buddhist story about a man rowing across a river when another boat crashes into him. He immediately becomes furious - until he realizes the other boat is empty.
There was never anyone to blame.
Much of life is like that empty boat.
People forget. They misspeak. They disappoint us. Usually, it is not out of malice. It is simply part of being human.
Great leaders do not suppress emotion. They select it.
They save their fire for what truly matters and let the rest drift away.
Life is good.
Marshall
Most of the time, it is not worth it.
Abraham Lincoln said,
âYou can tell the greatness of a person by what makes them angry.â
I think he was a very wise man.
Not all anger is bad. But much of it is misplaced.
There is an old Buddhist story about a man rowing across a river when another boat crashes into him. He immediately becomes furious - until he realizes the other boat is empty.
There was never anyone to blame.
Much of life is like that empty boat.
People forget. They misspeak. They disappoint us. Usually, it is not out of malice. It is simply part of being human.
Great leaders do not suppress emotion. They select it.
They save their fire for what truly matters and let the rest drift away.
Life is good.
Marshall
Every year comes with lots of ups and downs. You do not have to.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that "One who is not disturbed by happiness or distress and remains steady through both can find freedom and peace. "While the language is ancient, the lesson is timeless and deeply practical.
My wonderful friend Safi Bahcall, a wonderful thinker, author and entrepreneur, teaches a similar idea in modern terms. He often reminds executives, âWhen the stock price seems too high, your companywo is probably not that good. When the stock price seems too low, your company is probably not that bad.â
The same wisdom applies to life. As you journey through the inevitable highs and lows, try to keep your balance. Do not let success inflate your ego, and do not let setbacks define your worth. You are never always wonderful. You are never always awful. You are always human.
Enjoy your journey, through the 'ups and downs'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and try it out. It is free and you may get some new ideas.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that "One who is not disturbed by happiness or distress and remains steady through both can find freedom and peace. "While the language is ancient, the lesson is timeless and deeply practical.
My wonderful friend Safi Bahcall, a wonderful thinker, author and entrepreneur, teaches a similar idea in modern terms. He often reminds executives, âWhen the stock price seems too high, your companywo is probably not that good. When the stock price seems too low, your company is probably not that bad.â
The same wisdom applies to life. As you journey through the inevitable highs and lows, try to keep your balance. Do not let success inflate your ego, and do not let setbacks define your worth. You are never always wonderful. You are never always awful. You are always human.
Enjoy your journey, through the 'ups and downs'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and try it out. It is free and you may get some new ideas.
Everyone at the top has technical skill. As we keep getting promoted, our skill with people is what matters most.
At the top, leaders rarely fail because they canât do the work.
They fail because they are not able to adapt their behavior to fit the needs of their expanding role.
The higher you go, the smaller your mistakes need to be to cause big problems.
Thatâs why great leaders never stop working on themselves.
As someone once said, 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you. I was just listed on Favikon at the #1 Creator in All Social Media in Exectutive and Leadership Coaching in the World. Your support means so much to me!
At the top, leaders rarely fail because they canât do the work.
They fail because they are not able to adapt their behavior to fit the needs of their expanding role.
The higher you go, the smaller your mistakes need to be to cause big problems.
Thatâs why great leaders never stop working on themselves.
As someone once said, 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you. I was just listed on Favikon at the #1 Creator in All Social Media in Exectutive and Leadership Coaching in the World. Your support means so much to me!
Lead by example.
Great leaders and terrible leaders often say the same words.
Great leaders and terrible leaders do not do the same things.
No one cares what you preach. Everyone cares what you live.
Life is good.
Marshall
Great leaders and terrible leaders often say the same words.
Great leaders and terrible leaders do not do the same things.
No one cares what you preach. Everyone cares what you live.
Life is good.
Marshall
As a leader, accept the changing flow of your life and your career."
No team, no market and no career stays the same. The environment changes, customers change, people come and go.
Success fades into new challenges. New challenges may bring different success.
Do your best to do a great job while you are in the role that you are in.
Never let your role as a leader become your identity as a human being. Even if you are a CEO.
I have seen this happen far too many times.
Be ready to exit and start the next phase of your life.
As inspired by Rumi, accept the changing flow of life.
Many of the great leaders that I have coached are now teachers and coaches.
They love the 'new season' of their lives.
You can too.
Life is good.
Marshall
No team, no market and no career stays the same. The environment changes, customers change, people come and go.
Success fades into new challenges. New challenges may bring different success.
Do your best to do a great job while you are in the role that you are in.
Never let your role as a leader become your identity as a human being. Even if you are a CEO.
I have seen this happen far too many times.
Be ready to exit and start the next phase of your life.
As inspired by Rumi, accept the changing flow of life.
Many of the great leaders that I have coached are now teachers and coaches.
They love the 'new season' of their lives.
You can too.
Life is good.
Marshall
The next person you see, ask yourself, âWhat can I learn from this person?â
You may not even speak to them. Just observe. Notice how they move through the world. Their posture. Their clothing. Their facial expression. Their energy.
What are you learning?
Perhaps you learn something about confidence. Or anxiety. Or kindness. Or impatience. Perhaps you notice how stress shows up in the body or how calm creates space around a person.
You are not judging. You are learning.
In a moment of attention, you may learn not only about this individual, but about human beings in general. And if you look a little deeper, you may learn something about yourself.
As Confucius wisely noted, we can learn from everyone, if we are open enough to pay attention.
Wisdom does not always come from teachers, books, or titles. Often, it comes from everyday moments and ordinary people, when we slow down long enough to notice.
Life is good.
Marshall
You may not even speak to them. Just observe. Notice how they move through the world. Their posture. Their clothing. Their facial expression. Their energy.
What are you learning?
Perhaps you learn something about confidence. Or anxiety. Or kindness. Or impatience. Perhaps you notice how stress shows up in the body or how calm creates space around a person.
You are not judging. You are learning.
In a moment of attention, you may learn not only about this individual, but about human beings in general. And if you look a little deeper, you may learn something about yourself.
As Confucius wisely noted, we can learn from everyone, if we are open enough to pay attention.
Wisdom does not always come from teachers, books, or titles. Often, it comes from everyday moments and ordinary people, when we slow down long enough to notice.
Life is good.
Marshall
Welcome to the world of entrepreneurs! Like it or not, now you are one!
Career uncertainty is at higher than ever. With dramatic changes in technology and continual movement in the business environment, fewer and fewer people feel they have 'secure' careers. While, the survey numbers on increasing uncertainty are dramatic at the entry level, they are also increasing at all levels in the organization.
We are entering a world of ongoing reinvention. You will not have a career. You will have a series of careers.
To prosper in the new world, you will need to think like a entrepreneur. What does this mean? Continuous learning. Understanding the market. Building your brand. Learning how to sell.
My advice to you is simple. You are going to have to do it anyway, you might as well enjoy it! You are the CEO of your own life. You are the Captain of your own ship.
I have a little personal history on this topic. My 'guaranteed base salary' has been zero for the past 47 years. I have had to reinvent myself many times.
Enjoy learning and adapting! It may be stressful, but it is not dull!
Life is good.
Marshall
Career uncertainty is at higher than ever. With dramatic changes in technology and continual movement in the business environment, fewer and fewer people feel they have 'secure' careers. While, the survey numbers on increasing uncertainty are dramatic at the entry level, they are also increasing at all levels in the organization.
We are entering a world of ongoing reinvention. You will not have a career. You will have a series of careers.
To prosper in the new world, you will need to think like a entrepreneur. What does this mean? Continuous learning. Understanding the market. Building your brand. Learning how to sell.
My advice to you is simple. You are going to have to do it anyway, you might as well enjoy it! You are the CEO of your own life. You are the Captain of your own ship.
I have a little personal history on this topic. My 'guaranteed base salary' has been zero for the past 47 years. I have had to reinvent myself many times.
Enjoy learning and adapting! It may be stressful, but it is not dull!
Life is good.
Marshall
"I am most proud of the people I have helped and how well they are doing today."
I have asked many retiring CEOs, "What are you most proud of?" It is NEVER about how much money they made, how big their office was, or how many awards they won. It was ALWAYS about the people they helped.
At the end of the day, your most important performance appraisal will be conducted by the person you see in the mirror.
This advice will help you get a great performance review on what really matters.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is now being tested in 32 languages incluing Hindi and Hinglish. Please share it with people who might benefit. Like the CEOs I have interviewed, I am most proud of the people I have helped.
#marshallgoldsmith, #leadership, #coaching
I have asked many retiring CEOs, "What are you most proud of?" It is NEVER about how much money they made, how big their office was, or how many awards they won. It was ALWAYS about the people they helped.
At the end of the day, your most important performance appraisal will be conducted by the person you see in the mirror.
This advice will help you get a great performance review on what really matters.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is now being tested in 32 languages incluing Hindi and Hinglish. Please share it with people who might benefit. Like the CEOs I have interviewed, I am most proud of the people I have helped.
#marshallgoldsmith, #leadership, #coaching
Distraction is the enemy of depth.
Only you know what is important to you.
Only you know what achievement means to you.
Only you know what makes you happy.
Focus on what matters to you.
Let go of what does not really matter.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It may help you find your idea.
Only you know what is important to you.
Only you know what achievement means to you.
Only you know what makes you happy.
Focus on what matters to you.
Let go of what does not really matter.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It may help you find your idea.
Why have I had someone call me almost daily for 27 years?
I need help - and it is OK!
We all need follow-up.
Who are we kidding?
All of that stuff we have been telling ourselves we are going to 'get around to' for the past 20 years is never going to happen unless someone follows-up with us.
Why do the top ten tennis players in the world all have personal trainers? Although they know how important it is to stay in shape, they will not do it on their own.
They are not 'weak' they are 'smart'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for another source of ideas!
I need help - and it is OK!
We all need follow-up.
Who are we kidding?
All of that stuff we have been telling ourselves we are going to 'get around to' for the past 20 years is never going to happen unless someone follows-up with us.
Why do the top ten tennis players in the world all have personal trainers? Although they know how important it is to stay in shape, they will not do it on their own.
They are not 'weak' they are 'smart'.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for another source of ideas!
'At least I tried' feels a whole lot better than, 'I wish I would have'.
Old people seldom regret the risks we take and fail. We regret the risks we fail to take.
Playing it safe may feel comfortable at the time. If you are not careful, this is a perfect formula for a boring life. You may never 'lose big'. You will certainly never 'win big.'
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and try it out. You can test some of your 'go for it' ideas!
Old people seldom regret the risks we take and fail. We regret the risks we fail to take.
Playing it safe may feel comfortable at the time. If you are not careful, this is a perfect formula for a boring life. You may never 'lose big'. You will certainly never 'win big.'
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and try it out. You can test some of your 'go for it' ideas!
Six active questions that I recommend you test yourself on every day are (1-10 scale):
Did I do my best to...
- Set clear goals?
- Make progress toward goal achievement?
- Find meaning?
- Be happy?
- Build positive relationships?
- Be fully engaged?
Why start with "Did I do my best to..."?
I learned this from my daughter, Kelly Goldsmith
This phrasing gets us to focus on what we CAN control - not what we cannot control.
For example, if you are asked, "How happy were you yesterday"? You might say "not very" and blame the terrible weather.
If you are asked, "Did you do your best to be happy yesterday"? You have to look in the mirror and take reponsibility for your own attitude.
Our research on active questions is amazing! If you do this, it works!
Why don't people do it? It is so much easier to blame others for our situation in life than it is to take personal responsibility!
Try it out!
Life is good.
Marshall
To learn more, please read my book, 'Permanence' with lead author Lisa Broderick
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and learn more! We are testing it out in 32 languages.
Did I do my best to...
- Set clear goals?
- Make progress toward goal achievement?
- Find meaning?
- Be happy?
- Build positive relationships?
- Be fully engaged?
Why start with "Did I do my best to..."?
I learned this from my daughter, Kelly Goldsmith
This phrasing gets us to focus on what we CAN control - not what we cannot control.
For example, if you are asked, "How happy were you yesterday"? You might say "not very" and blame the terrible weather.
If you are asked, "Did you do your best to be happy yesterday"? You have to look in the mirror and take reponsibility for your own attitude.
Our research on active questions is amazing! If you do this, it works!
Why don't people do it? It is so much easier to blame others for our situation in life than it is to take personal responsibility!
Try it out!
Life is good.
Marshall
To learn more, please read my book, 'Permanence' with lead author Lisa Broderick
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and learn more! We are testing it out in 32 languages.
Focus on your deeper mission.
Do what is truly meaningful for you.
That is enough.
Life is good.
Marshall
Do what is truly meaningful for you.
That is enough.
Life is good.
Marshall
There is a famous story about the elephant and the rope.
When they are young, a small rope is tied to one of their legs and attached to a stake in the ground. As babies, they are not strong enough to break free. They pull, strain, and struggle, but the rope holds.
Eventually, they stop trying.
Years later, the elephant has grown into one of the most powerful animals on earth. It could easily snap the rope and pull the stake from the ground. Yet many elephants do not even try. They learned long ago that escape was impossible, and they continue to live as if that old lesson were still true.
Many of us do the same thing.
We allow past failures, disappointments, and limitations to define what we believe is possible today. We put ourselves in a box that no longer exists.
Being stuck is not the problem.
Refusing to move is.
The rope holding you back may be far weaker than you think.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask as many questions as you wish.
When they are young, a small rope is tied to one of their legs and attached to a stake in the ground. As babies, they are not strong enough to break free. They pull, strain, and struggle, but the rope holds.
Eventually, they stop trying.
Years later, the elephant has grown into one of the most powerful animals on earth. It could easily snap the rope and pull the stake from the ground. Yet many elephants do not even try. They learned long ago that escape was impossible, and they continue to live as if that old lesson were still true.
Many of us do the same thing.
We allow past failures, disappointments, and limitations to define what we believe is possible today. We put ourselves in a box that no longer exists.
Being stuck is not the problem.
Refusing to move is.
The rope holding you back may be far weaker than you think.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask as many questions as you wish.
It can be very difficult for smart, technically trained leaders to âlet it go.â
As we grow in our careers, our value shifts. Early on, we are rewarded for having answers. Later, we are rewarded for helping others find them. This transition is not easy, especially for people who built their success on expertise.
You have a choice. You can continue to be the expert, or you can become a leader. Both paths are honorable. Both can be deeply fulfilling. But trying to do both at the same time often leads to frustration - for you and for your team.
Great leaders create space for others to grow. They ask more than they tell. They focus less on being right and more on making a difference.
There is no universally âcorrectâ answer. The right choice is the one that aligns with who you want to be.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you for reading my reflections on leadership, coaching, and life. If you would like to continue the conversation, please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai.
As we grow in our careers, our value shifts. Early on, we are rewarded for having answers. Later, we are rewarded for helping others find them. This transition is not easy, especially for people who built their success on expertise.
You have a choice. You can continue to be the expert, or you can become a leader. Both paths are honorable. Both can be deeply fulfilling. But trying to do both at the same time often leads to frustration - for you and for your team.
Great leaders create space for others to grow. They ask more than they tell. They focus less on being right and more on making a difference.
There is no universally âcorrectâ answer. The right choice is the one that aligns with who you want to be.
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you for reading my reflections on leadership, coaching, and life. If you would like to continue the conversation, please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai.
This quote is inspired by one of my great heroes, Frances Hesselbein.
Over the forty years she was my friend, I watched her interact with presidents of the United States, corporate CEOs, Girl Scout leaders from small towns, and little girls growing up in poverty.
She treated every person with the same kindness, dignity, and respect.
When Frances was CEO of the Girl Scouts, Peter Drucker said she was the greatest leader he had ever met. Coming from Peter, that was an extraordinary statement.
What made Frances so special was not power, status, or recognition. It was her genuine belief that every human being mattered
.
People felt seen when they were with her. They felt valued. They felt encouraged to become better versions of themselves.
She inspired generations of leaders to care deeply about other people and to lead with humanity. She inspired me to do what I do.
She travelled all over the world and would have loved this image.
Thank you, Frances.
Life is good.
Marshall
Over the forty years she was my friend, I watched her interact with presidents of the United States, corporate CEOs, Girl Scout leaders from small towns, and little girls growing up in poverty.
She treated every person with the same kindness, dignity, and respect.
When Frances was CEO of the Girl Scouts, Peter Drucker said she was the greatest leader he had ever met. Coming from Peter, that was an extraordinary statement.
What made Frances so special was not power, status, or recognition. It was her genuine belief that every human being mattered
.
People felt seen when they were with her. They felt valued. They felt encouraged to become better versions of themselves.
She inspired generations of leaders to care deeply about other people and to lead with humanity. She inspired me to do what I do.
She travelled all over the world and would have loved this image.
Thank you, Frances.
Life is good.
Marshall
The most important variable in great coaching and the most important variable in great leadership are the same. It is not all about you. It is all about them.
Itâs wonderful to have goals. Don't forget to celebrate when you achieve them!
As we grow older and achieve more, it is fine to keep 'setting the bar' higher and higher. But hereâs something Iâve learned from working with many high achievers: We get are so focused on the next big thing, we forget to pause and appreciate the last one.
Please donât forget to âdeclare victoryâ when youâve earned it.
Take a moment. Smile. Enjoy your successes - even the small ones.
You donât need a trophy or a parade to celebrate. You just need to give yourself permission to say: âYes, I did that. That was good.â
Iâve seen this pattern over and over again in the research Iâve done with people like you. You care. You try hard. And too often, you're too hard on yourself.
Keep being a high achiever. Keep striving.
Enjoy your everyday wins. Youâve earned them.
Life is good.
Marshall
As we grow older and achieve more, it is fine to keep 'setting the bar' higher and higher. But hereâs something Iâve learned from working with many high achievers: We get are so focused on the next big thing, we forget to pause and appreciate the last one.
Please donât forget to âdeclare victoryâ when youâve earned it.
Take a moment. Smile. Enjoy your successes - even the small ones.
You donât need a trophy or a parade to celebrate. You just need to give yourself permission to say: âYes, I did that. That was good.â
Iâve seen this pattern over and over again in the research Iâve done with people like you. You care. You try hard. And too often, you're too hard on yourself.
Keep being a high achiever. Keep striving.
Enjoy your everyday wins. Youâve earned them.
Life is good.
Marshall