In a blog post related to personal responsibility, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about how accountability is a major component of creating discipline in your life.
Goldsmith writes, “How accountable are we to others around us? How accountable are we to ourselves? Do we even ask ourselves whether we’ve held ourselves accountable during our days to the things we told ourselves that we set out to do? Probably not. Accountability is one of the most important things to do in keeping ourselves on a path to change and growth.”
Accountability can come in different forms, but in the cultural world it usually involves names based on donations. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum recently erased the Sackler family name from an education center over the family’s ties to the opioid crisis. The National Gallery in London also ended its relationship with the Sacklers, announcing that the “naming of Room 34 as the Sackler Gallery should come to an end.” About six months ago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art removed the Sackler name from one of its most popular galleries.
This is public accountability for what has amounted to a tragic epidemic of opioid addiction because of a family’s involvement in the sale of opioids. On a personal level, accountability is a powerful force for action.
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.
