In a blog post about considering other points of view, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about how important it is to get the opinions of others so you can move ahead.
Goldsmith writes, “We often find it easier to pinpoint the strengths of others than to correctly identify our own. When we look deeply into ourselves, not searching for faults but for certain qualities, our work can be more difficult, because sometimes we’re unwilling to accept our strengths. Sometimes we can also misidentify what makes us good in an area — patience might be mistaken for lassitude, or eagerness might be interpreted as impulsiveness. That’s why it can be a good exercise to ask people around you for feedback.”
One of the most remarkable things about the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have acted alone. That is, he refused to listen to anyone who disagreed with him about the risks of an invasion and, in fact, humiliated some of his inner-circle counselors on Russian television if they didn’t repeat what he wanted to hear. This is a weakness among despots: an inability to look for or tolerate feedback or respect other points of view. Going it alone is not a way to win a war, as Russia is finding out in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance.
In The Earned Life Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crises, including regrets that stem from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroute destinies, and haunt our memories. These are particularly timely themes today.
With Goldsmith’s book as a guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life that is fulfilling in the long run.
You can read Marshall Goldsmith’s blog here.
About MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized for years as the world’s leading executive coach and the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Mojo, and Triggers. He received his Ph.D. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In his coaching practice, Goldsmith has advised more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.
About THE EARNED LIFE
In THE EARNED LIFE (Currency Books), Marshall Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crisis: regret, the kind stemming from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroutes destinies, and haunts our memories—particularly timely themes as the pandemic and Great Resignation inspire people to seek meaning in their lives, get unstuck and make changes. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life too fulfilling to dwell on the “what ifs.”
If you’d like more information on Marshall Goldsmith, The Earned Life, and his work, please get in touch with Lyda Goldsmith.
