Sign up to access an inspiration library of 30,000+ posts
Marshall Goldsmith's Recent LinkedIn Posts
Marshall Goldsmith
@marshallgoldsmith
My latest project: MarshallGoldsmith.ai Ask me any question. Everything I know is available for free! | Thinkers50 Hall of Fame | #1 Executive Coach | #1 Leadership Thought Leader | #1 NYT Bestselling Author
Posts
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or leader, it is always wise to reflect on legacy. Our legacy is not just what we leave behind, it is what continues when we are no longer there.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time with two of my heroes Fred Hassan and Harry Kraemer. Both had extraordinary careers as leaders. Yet what they are most proud of is not their titles or achievements, it is the positive impact they had on other people.
Their legacy lives on through countless leaders who were influenced by their wisdom, and who, in turn, have impacted thousands more.
Knowing you have made a positive difference in another person’s life is something no amount of money can buy.
Every day, in every interaction, we leave something behind.
The question is not if we create a legacy.
The question is - what are we leaving in people?
Life is good.
Marshall
283
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The great thing about the book of life is that you have a lot of input into the chapters yet to be written.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, can be too hard on yourselves. You hold on to past mistakes long after they have passed. You replay old chapters again and again, as if they can still be rewritten.
They cannot.
Those chapters are finished.
You lived them.
You learned from them.
That is enough.
The real opportunity is not in going back. It is in moving forward.
You are writing the next chapter right now - with your choices, your attitude, and your willingness to grow.
Forgive yourself for what is behind you. Appreciate what it taught you.
Then focus your energy where it belongs - on creating a great next chapter and, ultimately, a wonderful conclusion.
Life is good.
Marshall
543
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
We cannot control what happens outside us. We alone are responsible for what happens inside us.
Life is not fair. Bad breaks happen. The 'unexpected' is almost the norm.
We cannot really plan a year with the expecation that nothing 'unforseen' will occur. Or a month. Or a day!
We can control our response to the unexpected triggers in life. (I wrote a book about this.)
Breathe. Reflect - even if it is only for a few seconds. Go back to your values. Think - what is the right thing to do in this situation.
Do that. Make peace. Move on.
Life is good.
Marshall
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You are just as important to the people you care for as they are impotant to you.
Many of you, my readers, are deeply committed to helping others. You give your time, your energy, and your attention freely. You want to make a difference. You want to help the people you care about succeed and be happy.
In the process, it is easy to forget something important. Taking care of you.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. When you are exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed, you cannot be at your best for the people who depend on you.
The people who love you do not just appreciate what you do for them. They care about you as a human being. They want you to be healthy. They want you to be happy.
When you take time to rest, to reflect, and to care for your own well-being, you are not taking anything away from others. You are giving them a better version of you.
Treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you so freely give to others.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask for ideas on taking care of yourself.
245
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Being smart is not the same as being open!
Many high achievers already have a full cup.
It’s filled with past success, strong opinions, and a long track record of being right.
That cup got them here.
And now it’s 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, “What might I be missing?”
Enough to learn from someone who doesn’t look as accomplished as you.
You don’t need to know less.
You need to be less attached to what you already know.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It may open your mind to new ways of looking at the world.
571
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
“Go big or go home.” “Big hairy audacious goals.”“No guts, no glory.”
All of these mottos ignore one fact: The bigger and more audacious the goal, the higher the probability of failure.
People who take huge risks do not always win. In fact, most of the time, they fail.
If you doubt this, talk to any successful venture capitalist. They expect most investments to fail. Real risk, by definition, comes with a high probability of failure.
I am a strong believer in taking risks. For 47 years, I have had a guaranteed base salary of zero. I am also a believer in understanding reality.
Before you take a big chance, be honest about the odds. Do not confuse hope with probability.
Risk is not about assuming you will win. It is about being willing to try even when the chances are not in your favor.
Know what you are getting into. Then go for it - with your eyes open!
Life is good.
Marshall
195
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In some cases, people define “authentic” as always saying whatever is on their mind. That only makes sense if your higher purpose in life is to constantly express your opinion.
In any interaction, at work or at home, pause and ask yourself a simple question: What is my higher purpose right now?
Then breathe.
Stop.
Think.
Then speak.
It is easy to get lost in the moment. We react. We defend. We try to be heard. In doing so, we can forget what really matters.
Before you speak, ask: Why am I saying this now?
Is it to help?
Is it to make a difference?
Or is it just to express what is on my mind?
Not every thought needs to be shared.
Not every opinion needs to be spoken.
Great leaders - and great human beings - learn to align their words with their purpose.
When our purpose guides our communication, we do not just express ourselves, we serve a higher mission.
And in the end, that is why we are here.
Life is good.
Marshall
286
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My friend, Dr. Udo Lange, flew in from Europe to help me celebrate my 77th birthday!
Five years ago, Udo shared his idea for a purpose with our mutual friend, Hubert Joly. Hubert’s response was simple: “Not good enough.”
After five weeks of deep reflection, Udo came back with a new insight. He realized that the quote below represented his higher purpose in life.
We can all create magic in the world by creating magic for the people we touch.
This idea may sound simple, but it is profound. Every day, in small moments, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a moment of genuine care can mean more than we realize.
My mission is to help you have a little better life. To me, that is how we create magic in the world.
Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.
Life is good.
Marshall
147
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every post you read says, "Go for it!" MAYBE NOT.
Before taking a risk, ask yourself: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
When I was 27, I made one of the dumbest decisions of my life.
I had a mortgage, a pregnant wife, and a promising career. On a trip to the beach, I was riding a boogie board with friends. The waves were big. I caught a couple. It felt good. I was feeling macho! Then a huge wave appeared on the horizon.
My friends said, “Go for it!”
So I did.
And I broke my neck in two places.
Thankfully, I recovered after months of therapy. But the experience taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
Before you take a risk, stop and ask: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
In this case:
- I wasn’t working toward a meaningful goal.
- I wasn’t acting in service of others.
- I wasn’t living my purpose.
- I was feeding my ego.
We all face moments like this—in life, in leadership, in business. Moments when the “why” behind the risk is unclear. Could it be driven by our pride, our fear, our vanity or even worse, our need to get a cheap thrill?
So before your next big leap, ask:
- Is this risk aligned with who I want to be?
- Is this about making a difference
- Is it about me proving how great I am?
What’s the deeper reason that I am doing this?
You may still take the risk. But at least you’ll do it with clarity—and not just because someone yelled, “Go for it!”
467
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Do you want your children to be happy? You go first!
Do you want the people you work with to be happy?
Do you want your neighbors to be happy?
Do you want the people you love to be happy?
You go first.
We spend so much time wishing happiness for others but we often forget wish it for ourselves.
If you want to inspire joy, be joyful. If you want to spread peace, be peaceful. If you want your children to grow up with confidence, let them see what confidence looks like in you.
Leading by example isn’t just about performance or success, it is about life.
Your happiness is not just good for you. It’s a gift to those who love you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It can help you at work and in life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Forgiveness is very easy to talk about and very hard to do.
We want others to forgive us for our mistakes.
It is hard for us to forgive them.
The quote below is about 6,000 years old. It is as beautiful today as it was then.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai!
449
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every major corporation has values. Most sound very similar.
Companies often spend far too much time creating value statements and far too little time helping leaders act like human beings.
At the end of the day, what we do matters far more than what we say.
People do not learn values from posters, presentations, or speeches. They learn from observing how leaders behave - especially in small, everyday moments.
Do we listen? Do we show respect? Do we demonstrate kindness when it is not required?
These moments may seem minor, but they are not. They are the real test of our values.
One minute of genuine human kindness can have more impact than an hour of talking about what we believe.
If we want values to matter, we need to live them.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is free and you can ask it whatever you wish.
236
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Today is my 77th birthday. I received a wonderful surprise. My great friend, Tasha Eurich, flew in to help me celebrate. She is the world expert in self-awareness, and I love her quote.
Sometimes we are puzzled by the way other people think and act. Why do they behave this way? Why do they not see what seems so obvious to us?
In my own life, I have almost always found the source of my challenges in one place - the mirror.
The first person any leader needs to understand is the person they see in the mirror. When we increase our own self-awareness, we begin to understand others with greater clarity, patience, and compassion.
This lesson is simple, but not easy. It requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to look within.
On my birthday, I am grateful to still be learning.
Life is good.
Marshall
348
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be wonderful to find a tranquil setting, meditate, and experience peace. You do not live there. You live in the real world of ongoing chaos and drama.
The only time you can experience peace is now. The only place you can experience peace is where you are.
Many of us believe we will find peace “someday” - when things calm down, when problems are solved, or when life becomes more predictable. That day rarely comes.
Lasting peace does not come from what is outside of us. It comes from within.
The world around you may remain busy, uncertain, and at times overwhelming. You cannot always control that. What you can control is your response.
You can choose to pause. You can choose to breathe. You can choose to let go.
Peace is not a place you go. It is a state you create.
Make peace where you are.
Life is good.
Marshall
125
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
"If we hang around negative people, we tend to become negative ourselves."
As much as you can, try to have conversations with people that are focused on doing somthing positive - not just tearing down another person or group.
For example, about 45 years ago, my wife and I had a dinner with a couple of co-workers. After dinner we both commented on how many times we had put down other people who were not there. Neither of us were proud of our behavior.
We finally realized that we were having dinner with a couple who did nothing but put other people down. We decided that it was not our place to judge them. It was our decision not to have dinner with them again.
If you wrestle with a pig, don't be shocked when you start getting dirty!
Life is good.
Marshall
856
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Facing temptation takes a lot of willpower. Avoiding temptation takes a little wisdom!
Odysseus had to put in a huge amount of effort to avoid falling into the trap of temptation. In your case, I would recommend that you just use your GPS and go in another direction.
You don’t need to prove your willpower. Just set yourself up to win.
We often tell ourselves that strength comes from resisting temptation. But the truth is, our environment beats our willpower most of the time.
Want to eat better? Don’t stock the junk food. Want to stay focused? Keep the distractions out of reach.
Discipline isn’t about fighting urges all day. It’s about designing a life where the fight never starts.
Life is good.
Marshall
198
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Learn to celebrate the small victories that you win almost every day.
We have been trained to believe that happiness comes at the end of a journey.
When we achieve the goal. When we reach the milestone. When we “win.”
But what if we stop and appreciate all that we have already won?
Every day, we have opportunities to appreciate what is good in our lives. Our health, our relationships, our ability to learn, grow, and make a difference.
We too often fail to appreciate ourselves. We tell ourselves, “I will be happy when…”
That day may never come.
One of the most powerful habits we can develop is learning to “declare victory” at the end of each day. Not because everything is perfect, but because of all that is good in our lives.
This simple shift does not reduce our ambition. It enhances our gratitude.
You do not have to wait for a big moment to feel successful.
You can decide that today was a good day.
Life is good.
Marshall
155
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In the future, to win more, you will need to do more than repeat what has already worked. You will need to keep evolving.
Change more. The world is not standing still. What made you successful yesterday may not be enough tomorrow.
Try more. Progress comes from action. The more you try, the more opportunities you create.
Fail more. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Each setback brings a lesson.
Experiment more. Innovation does not come from certainty. It comes from testing, adjusting, and trying again.
Learn more. The people who keep growing are the people who keep winning.
The future will not reward those who play it safe and repeat the past. It will reward those who are willing to stretch, adapt, and grow.
Life is good.
Marshall
169
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
To produce real change as a coach, be a realist. Objective assess 'what is' not 'what I think it should be'. Then focus with your clients on 'how can we make it better' not 'why do you have this problem'.
203
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are waiting for perfection, get ready for a long wait.
Some people spend their whole lives waiting for everything to be just right - before they speak up, start the project, or say “I love you.”
Here’s the secret: perfection is always running late.
You don’t need flawless timing, spotless plans, or universal approval. What you need is a little courage, a little forgiveness, and a sense of humor.
Start where you are. Do your best. Then get some sleep.
Life is good (not perfect).
Marshall
352
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most powerful leadership is always leadership by example.
As we think about resolutions for the New Year, it is natural to focus on results.
What do I want to achieve?
What do I want to accomplish?
Those questions matter, but they are not enough.
Great leadership begins with a different question:
How can I help others see, in me, what I hope to see in them?
If we want our children to be happy, they need to see us choosing happiness.
If we want our teams to help each other, they need to see us helping first.
If we want people to grow, they need to see us growing.
People do not learn the most from what we say.
They learn from what we do, day after day.
The most powerful resolutions are not about control or instruction.
They are about modeling the behavior we hope will spread.
When we change ourselves, we inspire others permission to change as well.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. You can ask all the questions you want and MGAI will do the best it can to help you. It is all free.
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Tomorrow is my 77th birthday! People often ask me what I'd change about my life. My answer is always: Nothing!
Because that would take away the lessons I learned from my mistakes.
We all love success stories. But if you’re honest, most of your growth didn’t come from winning.
It came from getting it wrong, feeling the sting, and learning how to do it better next time.
Humility keeps you open.
Arrogance shuts you down.
And the moment you think you’ve “arrived” is usually when you stop improving.
Don’t erase your mistakes.
Study them.
Own them.
Thank them.
They’re life’s most consistent teachers.
At age almost 77, I am stll making mistakes and still learning!
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask as many questions as you wish!
422
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I need help. And it is OK! We all need help. Coaches are no different.
One of the most common questions I am asked is, "Do YOU have a coach?"
I have had someone check in with me almost every day for 28 years. Why? I know how hard it is to 'live' what I 'teach'. If I do not have someone check in to make sure I do my daily questions, guess what? I do not do nearly as well.
How many of the top ten tennis players have a coach? They all have more than one coach. Why? They keep focused on getting better.
I certainly do not think that I 'better' than my clients in any way. They are smart, dedicated people with the highest integrity. If they did not need any help, they would not hire me. They need help. And it is OK! I need help. And it is OK!
Medical doctors need a doctor. Why do medical doctors live no longer than college professors or accountants (maybe not as long). One of their biggest problems occurs when they try to be their own doctor!
I have thousands of readers who are coaches. My advice is simple. Get a coach!!!
Life is good.
Marshall
To get some more help, please try MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is not a coach, but it is a great source of ideas!
217
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The first step is almost always the hardest.
The first push-up.
The first sales call.
The first minute of writing.
Before we begin, our minds are very creative. We imagine how hard it will be, how long it will take, and how uncomfortable we might feel. So we delay. We wait for motivation. We wait for confidence. We wait for the “right” moment.
That moment may never arrive.
What does work is far simpler. Make a small, clear commitment to get started. Just begin. Do one push-up. Write one sentence. Make one call. Once you take that first step, momentum starts to work for you instead of against you.
In my experience coaching leaders, the odds of finishing go up dramatically once people simply start. Action creates energy. Progress builds confidence.
Motivation follows movement, not the other way around.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and get started asking questions!
126
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have had the honor of coaching five leaders who were considered the best CEO in America at the time. Although they were all truly great, none were perfect. Even more important, none pretended to be.
We can all improve. The most successful leaders I have worked with share one common trait - humility. They do not assume they have all the answers. Instead, they actively seek input from the people around them.
Stakeholder Centered Coaching is built on this belief. It begins with asking your key stakeholders for ideas on how you and the organization can get better. It continues with practicing feedforward: focusing on the future, not the past. And it requires a commitment to learning, over and over again.
Great leaders are not defined by perfection. They are defined by their willingness to grow.
If you cannot think of one thing you need to do better—pick humility.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for ideas on how you can get even better!
786
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most important things in life do not cost any money.
It is easy to get distracted by what we can buy, achieve, or accumulate. Yet when we pause and reflect, the moments that truly matter are much simpler. A meaningful conversation. A shared laugh. A quiet walk. Time with people we care about.
The most precious resource we have is not money. It is time.
Unlike money, time cannot be earned back, saved, or multiplied. Once it is gone, it is gone. This is what makes it so valuable. Every moment we spend is a choice about how we live our lives.
My advice is simple. Be intentional with your time. Spend it on what brings meaning, connection, and joy. Be present with the people you love. Appreciate the small moments that make life worth living.
In the end, a well-lived life is not measured by what we have. It is measured by how we used the time we were given.
Life is good.
Marshall
201
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Peter Drucker taught me many great lessons. This one led to 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' and changed my life.
Coaching around 'what to stop' does not sound inspirational. It does work!
Think of your own life and career. What do YOU need to stop? What are some of the most common 'needs to stop' areas that you see in the leaders you meet I would love to read your reflections, as well as your suggestions for leaders, in the comments section.
Life is good.
Marshall
678
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My mission is to help you have a little better life. Today is my 77th birthday.
If you would like to give me a gift, here is something meaningful you can do.
Please help one extra person have a little better day.
It does not need to be big. Make one extra person smile. Say something kind. Take a moment to listen. Go a little out of your way to be helpful.
These small acts matter more than we think. They ripple outward in ways we may never see.
If you have a chance, I would love for you to share what you did - or what you plan to do - in the comments. Your ideas may inspire someone else to do the same.
Thank you for your amazing support, your kindness, and your willingness to make a difference.
I am so grateful to you.
I hope I can keep going for as long as I can help others.
Life is good.
Marshall
412
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are not finding hope and joy where you are now, start finding a way out!
I know that this can be tough. You may need to learn new skills. You probably don't have much time to spare as it is. You are already 'over-loaded'.
It is still worth it.
If you’re stuck, pause and ask, “What one small step can I take - today - to move in a direction that serves my higher purpose?”
And if you catch yourself saying, “I can’t…”
Look down.
As the wise Epictetus would ask you:
See any roots?
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you so much for reading my posts. As Buddha said, "Only do what I teach, if it works for you." I hope that at least some of my teaching works for you.
For more ideas, please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. Who knows? You might get a good idea or two.
375
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Why are you angry in the first place?
Nine times out of ten, it’s not worth it.
Abraham Lincoln said, “You can tell the greatness of a person by what makes them angry.”
I think he's right!
Not all anger is bad. But most of it is misplaced.
Chances are, you’re getting angry at an empty boat.
That’s the old Buddhist story: you’re rowing across the river when another boat crashes into you. You explode in anger — until you realize the boat’s empty.
There was never anyone to blame.
That’s most of life.
People forget, misspeak, and disappoint us. It's rarely out of malice!
Great leaders don’t suppress emotion. They select it.
They save their fire for what truly matters and let the rest drift away.
Life is good.
Marshall
622
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
No one can be everything, to everyone, every day. Let it go.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, are often too hard on yourselves. You want to be exceptional at work, a wonderful friend and family member, stay in great physical condition, and somehow, in your spare time, make the world a better place.
You cannot do it all at once.
Make peace with the changing seasons of your life. Some years may be focused on achievement. Some on family and relationships. Some on health and renewal.
It is OK.
There is only one suggestion I have for every season: learn to enjoy the process of life itself.
I just celebrated my 77th birthday. The years pass quickly.
Enjoy them.
Life is good.
Marshall
619
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of our greatest causes of stress is trying to control what we cannot, or should not, control.
I have a suggestion. Instead of today’s “to do” list, make a “let it go” list.
Include the items that are bothering you but are beyond your influence.
Many of us waste an enormous amount of time and energy trying to manage outcomes we cannot change - other people’s decisions, past events, or uncertain futures. This effort does not create progress. It creates frustration.
One of the most powerful ways to achieve real, positive change in life is to focus. Focus on what you can influence. Direct your time and energy toward actions that can make a meaningful difference for you and for the people around you.
Let go of the rest.
When we release the need to control everything, we create space for clarity, effectiveness, and peace.
Make peace with what is.
Life is good.
Marshall
218
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As the pace of change in the world keeps accelerating, we need to keep learning about what is new, not just repeating what is old.
In a rapidly changing world, bragging about “years of experience” can be misleading. Experience only matters if it is still relevant.
What matters more is our willingness to learn, to adapt, and to grow.
We can all keep learning - at any age.
Yesterday, just after my 77th birthday, I was honored to be recognized by Favikon as the #3 Creator in Leadership and Management across all social media. I am grateful. More important, I am reminded that the journey of learning never ends.
It is easy to get comfortable. To repeat what has worked in the past. To stay on the same path.
But growth requires change.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Do not get stuck on the treadmill of repetition.
Even old dogs - like me - can keep learning new tricks.
And in today’s world, that may matter more than ever.
Life is good.
Marshall
223
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As parents, teachers, and leaders, we can become so focused on improvement that we forget appreciation.
This lesson applies not only to how we treat others, but also to how we treat ourselves. My surveys paint a very clear picture. You, my readers, are often far too self-critical.
We are trained to find problems, fix gaps, and push for better. While this can drive achievement, it can also take away joy. When we only see what is missing, we fail to appreciate what is already good.
I have some very simple advice. Do not do this to other people. More importantly, do not do this to yourself. Take a moment to recognize progress, not just problems.
If we can learn to balance improvement with appreciation, we can help others - and ourselves - have a little better life.
Life is good.
Marshall
119
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have spent hundreds of hours helping my clients practice communicating important messages. Most of that time is not spent on their words. It is spent on the feelings they are communicating (often unintentionally).
My advice is simple. Whenever you have the opportunity, do what my clients do. Practice!
Never assume that the feeling in your heart is the feeling that shows on your face. Our good intentions are not always visible to others.
My friend and former client Alan Mulally said it best:
“As the CEO, when I frown, the stock price goes down!”
This lesson matters just as much at home as it does at work. After a long, difficult day, do not assume your nonverbal behavior communicates “I care” or “I love you” to the people who matter most.
As Maya Angelou wisely said, people may forget what we say - but they never forget how we make them feel.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It if free and keeps getting better!
91
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of the great excuses leaders make for not changing behavior that clearly need to change is, “That is just the way I am!”
s a coach, I often respond with a few simple questions: “Why does that have to be the way you are?” or “Do you have an incurable condition that makes change impossible?”
In most cases, the answer is no. The real issue is not ability. It is identity.
When we define who we have been in the past as the “real me,” we quietly eliminate the possibility of becoming a better version of ourselves. We turn habits into destiny.
This belief can be comforting. It can also be limiting.
Growth requires a willingness to question our own story. It asks us to see ourselves not as fixed, but as evolving.
As you move through life, try not to stereotype people - especially yourself.
You are not just who you have been. You are who you choose to become.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. Who knows? It may help you become the person you can be!
150
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I just turned 77! The years pass so fast.
I have read thousands of comments from you, my readers.
You impress me as thoughtful, kind and hard-working people.
You want to learn and grow.
My suggestions for many of you are:
- If you believe that you can make a positive difference, go for it.
- Don't be hesitant to promote your own career.
- Don't worry so much.
- 'Let go' of a lot of stuff that you have been carrying around.
- Quit trying to be the perfect 'everything' to 'everybody'.
- Enjoy the process of life as you live it.
Keep reading my LinkedIn posts! If not for your sake, for mine! I love hearing from you!
Be happy now.
Life is good.
Marshall
581
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Thank you for helping me have a wonderful life!
I love reading your reflections, suggestions, and survey responses. They help me learn, grow, and see the world in new ways. At age 77, I am still learning every day - and I am grateful that you are helping me do it!
As I look back on my life, I am so thankful for the many wise teachers, mentors, and friends who have so generously helped me along the way. Whatever I have been able to accomplish is, in large part, because of their kindness and support.
If, in even a small way, I can help you as they have helped me, then I feel I have fulfilled my mission.
Thank you for your generosity, your engagement, and your willingness to make a positive difference in the world - not just for me, but for so many others.
Life is good.
Marshall
361
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Over the years, I have found that the vehemence of a person’s opinion is often inversely related to their knowledge of the topic.
Many years ago, when I was an Associate Dean, faculty meetings never ceased to amaze me.
Professors with little knowledge of a topic - such as parking, building design, or fundraising - would often become the most animated and certain in their opinions. At the same time, those who actually understood the issue tended to express more nuanced and thoughtful views.
Three months before his passing, Martin Lindstrom and I had the honor of interviewing Daniel Kahneman. Despite being a Nobel laureate and one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time, he never spoke with absolute certainty. He was thoughtful, reflective, and open.
When we hear someone speak with complete certainty on almost any topic, it is wise to be skeptical - especially when we are the person doing the talking!
Life is good.
Marshall
111
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be tempting to try and forget what happened when we fail. This is a mistake.
A better approach is to pause and reflect. Ask yourself two simple questions: “What could I have done differently?” and “What can I learn for the future?”
Too often, we rush past failure and miss the lessons it offers. Yet in many cases, we learn far more from what went wrong than from what went right.
Failure reminds us that we are human. It gives us the opportunity to practice acceptance, to forgive ourselves, and to move forward with greater wisdom.
The goal is not to avoid mistakes. The goal is to learn from them.
If failure is expensive, then learning is your return on investment.
Life is good.
Marshall
144
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If people can leave and get a pay raise, they are volunteers. Treat them that way!
In my classes around the world, I would often ask, “Do you manage anyone who could leave and get a pay raise tomorrow?” The answer was almost always, “Yes!”
Then I share what Peter Drucker taught me:
Treat them as if you were running a volunteer organization - and they were generously volunteering their time to help you. Because, in essence, they are!
In fact, if they could leave and make more money, they are actually taking a pay cut to work with you. That deserves your deepest respect.
One reason Peter admired leaders in the nonprofit world, like the amazing Frances Hesselbein of the Girl Scouts, is because they knew how to inspire and lead people who didn’t have to be there. For-profit leaders can learn a lot from them. I sure did.
Please share your reflections in the comments.
And try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I’d love your feedback.
Life is good.
Marshall
1.4K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You can believe in yourself be humble at the same time.
Ken Blanchard is a great thinker, teacher and human being. He also believes in himself.
The greatest leaders that I have ever met all believed in themselves. They knew they deserved to be where they were.
They were also not fixated on themselves.
They were focused on serving others.
They asked for feedback from their stakeholders.
They worked on personal improvement.
They believed in themselves enough to know that it was OK to admit to being human.
In Ken's terms, they did not think less of themselves - they thought about themselves less!
Humility is often misunderstood. Too many people think it means putting yourself down, minimizing your strengths, or pretending you aren’t talented. That’s not humility - that’s insecurity.
Humility isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And it’s one of the most powerful strengths a leader can develop.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It is free and keeps getting better.
513
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Up until our twenties, we tend to succeed by focusing on ourselves - earning good grades, gaining recognition, and striving to be the best at what we do.
As we move into increasingly important leadership roles, that focus begins to shift. Success as a leader is no longer about personal achievement. It is about helping others succeed.
The great entrepreneur learns to scale the business by empowering others. The great salesperson grows by developing other salespeople. The great athlete evolves into a great coach.
Leadership is not about being the star. It is about creating other stars.
As leaders, we need to keep our focus where it belongs - on the people we serve. Their growth becomes our success.
If we continue to focus only on ourselves, we limit our impact. When we shift our focus to others, we multiply it.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I hope MGAI can help you become a better leader!
296
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the wisest people that I have ever met have little in the way of a fancy education.
Although my education gave me a wonderful background, I have learned far more from my coaching clients, than I have learned in any class.
The 'real world' can be a great teacher.
One of our best Stakeholder Centered Coaches was my late friend, Chris Coffey. Chris did not have much formal education in our field. He did achieve amazing results with our coaching clients.
To me, education is nice - results are better!
Speaking of wisdom. It is never wise - and never respectful - to disparage people who may have less education than we may have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. I hope that some of them are useful to you.
Life is good.
Marshall
307
Marshall Goldsmith
Sales & Marketing
6mo
Our real legacy is the positive, lasting impact that we have had on real human beings.
Our real legacy is not determined by how many promotions or pay raises we get.
This lesson can be so hard to remember in the day-to-day drama of achieving goals and 'getting ahead'.
This lesson is hard to remember. When you get older, you will learn that it is painful to forget.
Life is good.
Marshall
THANK YOU for reading my reflections. I hope that they are helpful to you.
691
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have worked with hundreds of the highest achievers in the world. One thing I have learned is simple - no one truly “has it all together.”
We are all human.
Every day, we wake up, make mistakes, learn, improve, and begin again.
“And they lived happily ever after” may work in fairy tales. It does not describe real life.
As Anne Hathaway reminds us, we do not need to have it together every minute of every day. In fact, it helps to find ourselves a little amusing. Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep making mistakes.
The only people who never fail are those who do not try enough.
At age 77, I have learned something else. Life is short. Time passes quickly. Do not wait for perfection before you allow yourself to enjoy it.
Enjoy this moment. It is all we really have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Life is good.
Marshall
244
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Never be embarrassed to be an optimist.
The world will always have threats.
The question is: What do you see first?
People who believe they can succeed see opportunities where others see threats.
They aren’t naïve - they’re focused.
They aren’t ignoring reality - they’re choosing where to invest their energy.
Optimism is not denial.
Optimism is courage.
Life is good.
Marshall
441
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
March 20th is my 77th birthday! I am so grateful to you, my readers, for your amazing support and encouragement. In the past year alone, someone has read one of my posts over 26 million times. I love reading your comments, reactions, reflections and suggestions.
You are giving my the best birthday gift in the world. The gift of meaning in life.
My mission is simple. I just want to help you have a little better life. Whenever I can do that, I declare victory with life.
Please keep visiting MarshallGoldsmith.com and MarshallGoldsmith.com. I am doing me best to give everything I know, at no charge, to as many people as I can.
At 77, Life is good.
Marshall
3K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Make peace with what you do not know.
Trying to be great at too many things does more harm than good. Being great at anything is hard enough. It requires focus, clarity, and the humility to let go of other paths. They may be interesting or worthwhile - but they are not your path.
For many years, I had one main professional focus: helping great leaders achieve positive, lasting change in behavior. That focus shaped my career and gave my work meaning.
Today, I have added one more - helping you have a little better life. That’s it. I’ve learned that simplicity helps me find peace and get more done.
On the professional side of life, what really matters to you?
I would love your thoughts.
Life is good.
Marshall
225
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the leaders say they want "solutions, not problems."
They think a quiet office is a sign of a well-oiled machine.
General Colin Powell knew better. He understood that silence is not success.
Silence is usually a sign of fear.
If your team has stopped bringing you their challenges, it doesn't mean the challenges have disappeared.
It means they have stopped believing you can - or will - help fix them.
They have either lost confidence in your ability, or they fear your reaction.
When you punish the messenger who brings you bad news, you create a culture of silence. And in a culture of silence, you are flying blind.
Leadership is not about hearing what you want to hear. It is about hearing what you need to hear.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for more ideas on leadership and life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In my life as a coach, I have seen many great people get promoted. And many great people get fired.
Titles change. Offices change. Status changes. What does not change is who you are as a human being.
The message, “Never let your job title as a professional become your identity as a human being,” is important at any level and at any age.
When our identity becomes fused with our title, we rise and fall with every organizational shift. When our identity is grounded in our values, relationships, and character, we remain steady.
My wonderful friend, Hubert Joly, has made a remarkable transition into life after being a CEO. When I asked him why he has been so successful in this next chapter, while many others struggle, he shared this wisdom with me.
We are more than our business cards. We are fathers, mothers, friends, mentors, learners, and human beings.
Thank you, Hubert.
Life is good.
Marshall
395
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or leader, it is always wise to reflect on legacy. Our legacy is not just what we leave behind, it is what continues when we are no longer there.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time with two of my heroes Fred Hassan and Harry Kraemer. Both had extraordinary careers as leaders. Yet what they are most proud of is not their titles or achievements, it is the positive impact they had on other people.
Their legacy lives on through countless leaders who were influenced by their wisdom, and who, in turn, have impacted thousands more.
Knowing you have made a positive difference in another person’s life is something no amount of money can buy.
Every day, in every interaction, we leave something behind.
The question is not if we create a legacy.
The question is - what are we leaving in people?
Life is good.
Marshall
283
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
We cannot control what happens outside us. We alone are responsible for what happens inside us.
Life is not fair. Bad breaks happen. The 'unexpected' is almost the norm.
We cannot really plan a year with the expecation that nothing 'unforseen' will occur. Or a month. Or a day!
We can control our response to the unexpected triggers in life. (I wrote a book about this.)
Breathe. Reflect - even if it is only for a few seconds. Go back to your values. Think - what is the right thing to do in this situation.
Do that. Make peace. Move on.
Life is good.
Marshall
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Being smart is not the same as being open!
Many high achievers already have a full cup.
It’s filled with past success, strong opinions, and a long track record of being right.
That cup got them here.
And now it’s 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, “What might I be missing?”
Enough to learn from someone who doesn’t look as accomplished as you.
You don’t need to know less.
You need to be less attached to what you already know.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It may open your mind to new ways of looking at the world.
571
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In some cases, people define “authentic” as always saying whatever is on their mind. That only makes sense if your higher purpose in life is to constantly express your opinion.
In any interaction, at work or at home, pause and ask yourself a simple question: What is my higher purpose right now?
Then breathe.
Stop.
Think.
Then speak.
It is easy to get lost in the moment. We react. We defend. We try to be heard. In doing so, we can forget what really matters.
Before you speak, ask: Why am I saying this now?
Is it to help?
Is it to make a difference?
Or is it just to express what is on my mind?
Not every thought needs to be shared.
Not every opinion needs to be spoken.
Great leaders - and great human beings - learn to align their words with their purpose.
When our purpose guides our communication, we do not just express ourselves, we serve a higher mission.
And in the end, that is why we are here.
Life is good.
Marshall
286
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every post you read says, "Go for it!" MAYBE NOT.
Before taking a risk, ask yourself: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
When I was 27, I made one of the dumbest decisions of my life.
I had a mortgage, a pregnant wife, and a promising career. On a trip to the beach, I was riding a boogie board with friends. The waves were big. I caught a couple. It felt good. I was feeling macho! Then a huge wave appeared on the horizon.
My friends said, “Go for it!”
So I did.
And I broke my neck in two places.
Thankfully, I recovered after months of therapy. But the experience taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
Before you take a risk, stop and ask: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
In this case:
- I wasn’t working toward a meaningful goal.
- I wasn’t acting in service of others.
- I wasn’t living my purpose.
- I was feeding my ego.
We all face moments like this—in life, in leadership, in business. Moments when the “why” behind the risk is unclear. Could it be driven by our pride, our fear, our vanity or even worse, our need to get a cheap thrill?
So before your next big leap, ask:
- Is this risk aligned with who I want to be?
- Is this about making a difference
- Is it about me proving how great I am?
What’s the deeper reason that I am doing this?
You may still take the risk. But at least you’ll do it with clarity—and not just because someone yelled, “Go for it!”
467
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Forgiveness is very easy to talk about and very hard to do.
We want others to forgive us for our mistakes.
It is hard for us to forgive them.
The quote below is about 6,000 years old. It is as beautiful today as it was then.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai!
449
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Today is my 77th birthday. I received a wonderful surprise. My great friend, Tasha Eurich, flew in to help me celebrate. She is the world expert in self-awareness, and I love her quote.
Sometimes we are puzzled by the way other people think and act. Why do they behave this way? Why do they not see what seems so obvious to us?
In my own life, I have almost always found the source of my challenges in one place - the mirror.
The first person any leader needs to understand is the person they see in the mirror. When we increase our own self-awareness, we begin to understand others with greater clarity, patience, and compassion.
This lesson is simple, but not easy. It requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to look within.
On my birthday, I am grateful to still be learning.
Life is good.
Marshall
348
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
"If we hang around negative people, we tend to become negative ourselves."
As much as you can, try to have conversations with people that are focused on doing somthing positive - not just tearing down another person or group.
For example, about 45 years ago, my wife and I had a dinner with a couple of co-workers. After dinner we both commented on how many times we had put down other people who were not there. Neither of us were proud of our behavior.
We finally realized that we were having dinner with a couple who did nothing but put other people down. We decided that it was not our place to judge them. It was our decision not to have dinner with them again.
If you wrestle with a pig, don't be shocked when you start getting dirty!
Life is good.
Marshall
856
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Learn to celebrate the small victories that you win almost every day.
We have been trained to believe that happiness comes at the end of a journey.
When we achieve the goal. When we reach the milestone. When we “win.”
But what if we stop and appreciate all that we have already won?
Every day, we have opportunities to appreciate what is good in our lives. Our health, our relationships, our ability to learn, grow, and make a difference.
We too often fail to appreciate ourselves. We tell ourselves, “I will be happy when…”
That day may never come.
One of the most powerful habits we can develop is learning to “declare victory” at the end of each day. Not because everything is perfect, but because of all that is good in our lives.
This simple shift does not reduce our ambition. It enhances our gratitude.
You do not have to wait for a big moment to feel successful.
You can decide that today was a good day.
Life is good.
Marshall
155
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
To produce real change as a coach, be a realist. Objective assess 'what is' not 'what I think it should be'. Then focus with your clients on 'how can we make it better' not 'why do you have this problem'.
203
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most powerful leadership is always leadership by example.
As we think about resolutions for the New Year, it is natural to focus on results.
What do I want to achieve?
What do I want to accomplish?
Those questions matter, but they are not enough.
Great leadership begins with a different question:
How can I help others see, in me, what I hope to see in them?
If we want our children to be happy, they need to see us choosing happiness.
If we want our teams to help each other, they need to see us helping first.
If we want people to grow, they need to see us growing.
People do not learn the most from what we say.
They learn from what we do, day after day.
The most powerful resolutions are not about control or instruction.
They are about modeling the behavior we hope will spread.
When we change ourselves, we inspire others permission to change as well.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. You can ask all the questions you want and MGAI will do the best it can to help you. It is all free.
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I need help. And it is OK! We all need help. Coaches are no different.
One of the most common questions I am asked is, "Do YOU have a coach?"
I have had someone check in with me almost every day for 28 years. Why? I know how hard it is to 'live' what I 'teach'. If I do not have someone check in to make sure I do my daily questions, guess what? I do not do nearly as well.
How many of the top ten tennis players have a coach? They all have more than one coach. Why? They keep focused on getting better.
I certainly do not think that I 'better' than my clients in any way. They are smart, dedicated people with the highest integrity. If they did not need any help, they would not hire me. They need help. And it is OK! I need help. And it is OK!
Medical doctors need a doctor. Why do medical doctors live no longer than college professors or accountants (maybe not as long). One of their biggest problems occurs when they try to be their own doctor!
I have thousands of readers who are coaches. My advice is simple. Get a coach!!!
Life is good.
Marshall
To get some more help, please try MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is not a coach, but it is a great source of ideas!
217
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have had the honor of coaching five leaders who were considered the best CEO in America at the time. Although they were all truly great, none were perfect. Even more important, none pretended to be.
We can all improve. The most successful leaders I have worked with share one common trait - humility. They do not assume they have all the answers. Instead, they actively seek input from the people around them.
Stakeholder Centered Coaching is built on this belief. It begins with asking your key stakeholders for ideas on how you and the organization can get better. It continues with practicing feedforward: focusing on the future, not the past. And it requires a commitment to learning, over and over again.
Great leaders are not defined by perfection. They are defined by their willingness to grow.
If you cannot think of one thing you need to do better—pick humility.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for ideas on how you can get even better!
786
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Peter Drucker taught me many great lessons. This one led to 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' and changed my life.
Coaching around 'what to stop' does not sound inspirational. It does work!
Think of your own life and career. What do YOU need to stop? What are some of the most common 'needs to stop' areas that you see in the leaders you meet I would love to read your reflections, as well as your suggestions for leaders, in the comments section.
Life is good.
Marshall
678
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are not finding hope and joy where you are now, start finding a way out!
I know that this can be tough. You may need to learn new skills. You probably don't have much time to spare as it is. You are already 'over-loaded'.
It is still worth it.
If you’re stuck, pause and ask, “What one small step can I take - today - to move in a direction that serves my higher purpose?”
And if you catch yourself saying, “I can’t…”
Look down.
As the wise Epictetus would ask you:
See any roots?
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you so much for reading my posts. As Buddha said, "Only do what I teach, if it works for you." I hope that at least some of my teaching works for you.
For more ideas, please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. Who knows? You might get a good idea or two.
375
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
No one can be everything, to everyone, every day. Let it go.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, are often too hard on yourselves. You want to be exceptional at work, a wonderful friend and family member, stay in great physical condition, and somehow, in your spare time, make the world a better place.
You cannot do it all at once.
Make peace with the changing seasons of your life. Some years may be focused on achievement. Some on family and relationships. Some on health and renewal.
It is OK.
There is only one suggestion I have for every season: learn to enjoy the process of life itself.
I just celebrated my 77th birthday. The years pass quickly.
Enjoy them.
Life is good.
Marshall
619
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As the pace of change in the world keeps accelerating, we need to keep learning about what is new, not just repeating what is old.
In a rapidly changing world, bragging about “years of experience” can be misleading. Experience only matters if it is still relevant.
What matters more is our willingness to learn, to adapt, and to grow.
We can all keep learning - at any age.
Yesterday, just after my 77th birthday, I was honored to be recognized by Favikon as the #3 Creator in Leadership and Management across all social media. I am grateful. More important, I am reminded that the journey of learning never ends.
It is easy to get comfortable. To repeat what has worked in the past. To stay on the same path.
But growth requires change.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Do not get stuck on the treadmill of repetition.
Even old dogs - like me - can keep learning new tricks.
And in today’s world, that may matter more than ever.
Life is good.
Marshall
223
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have spent hundreds of hours helping my clients practice communicating important messages. Most of that time is not spent on their words. It is spent on the feelings they are communicating (often unintentionally).
My advice is simple. Whenever you have the opportunity, do what my clients do. Practice!
Never assume that the feeling in your heart is the feeling that shows on your face. Our good intentions are not always visible to others.
My friend and former client Alan Mulally said it best:
“As the CEO, when I frown, the stock price goes down!”
This lesson matters just as much at home as it does at work. After a long, difficult day, do not assume your nonverbal behavior communicates “I care” or “I love you” to the people who matter most.
As Maya Angelou wisely said, people may forget what we say - but they never forget how we make them feel.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It if free and keeps getting better!
91
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I just turned 77! The years pass so fast.
I have read thousands of comments from you, my readers.
You impress me as thoughtful, kind and hard-working people.
You want to learn and grow.
My suggestions for many of you are:
- If you believe that you can make a positive difference, go for it.
- Don't be hesitant to promote your own career.
- Don't worry so much.
- 'Let go' of a lot of stuff that you have been carrying around.
- Quit trying to be the perfect 'everything' to 'everybody'.
- Enjoy the process of life as you live it.
Keep reading my LinkedIn posts! If not for your sake, for mine! I love hearing from you!
Be happy now.
Life is good.
Marshall
581
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Over the years, I have found that the vehemence of a person’s opinion is often inversely related to their knowledge of the topic.
Many years ago, when I was an Associate Dean, faculty meetings never ceased to amaze me.
Professors with little knowledge of a topic - such as parking, building design, or fundraising - would often become the most animated and certain in their opinions. At the same time, those who actually understood the issue tended to express more nuanced and thoughtful views.
Three months before his passing, Martin Lindstrom and I had the honor of interviewing Daniel Kahneman. Despite being a Nobel laureate and one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time, he never spoke with absolute certainty. He was thoughtful, reflective, and open.
When we hear someone speak with complete certainty on almost any topic, it is wise to be skeptical - especially when we are the person doing the talking!
Life is good.
Marshall
111
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If people can leave and get a pay raise, they are volunteers. Treat them that way!
In my classes around the world, I would often ask, “Do you manage anyone who could leave and get a pay raise tomorrow?” The answer was almost always, “Yes!”
Then I share what Peter Drucker taught me:
Treat them as if you were running a volunteer organization - and they were generously volunteering their time to help you. Because, in essence, they are!
In fact, if they could leave and make more money, they are actually taking a pay cut to work with you. That deserves your deepest respect.
One reason Peter admired leaders in the nonprofit world, like the amazing Frances Hesselbein of the Girl Scouts, is because they knew how to inspire and lead people who didn’t have to be there. For-profit leaders can learn a lot from them. I sure did.
Please share your reflections in the comments.
And try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I’d love your feedback.
Life is good.
Marshall
1.4K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Up until our twenties, we tend to succeed by focusing on ourselves - earning good grades, gaining recognition, and striving to be the best at what we do.
As we move into increasingly important leadership roles, that focus begins to shift. Success as a leader is no longer about personal achievement. It is about helping others succeed.
The great entrepreneur learns to scale the business by empowering others. The great salesperson grows by developing other salespeople. The great athlete evolves into a great coach.
Leadership is not about being the star. It is about creating other stars.
As leaders, we need to keep our focus where it belongs - on the people we serve. Their growth becomes our success.
If we continue to focus only on ourselves, we limit our impact. When we shift our focus to others, we multiply it.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I hope MGAI can help you become a better leader!
296
Marshall Goldsmith
Sales & Marketing
6mo
Our real legacy is the positive, lasting impact that we have had on real human beings.
Our real legacy is not determined by how many promotions or pay raises we get.
This lesson can be so hard to remember in the day-to-day drama of achieving goals and 'getting ahead'.
This lesson is hard to remember. When you get older, you will learn that it is painful to forget.
Life is good.
Marshall
THANK YOU for reading my reflections. I hope that they are helpful to you.
691
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Never be embarrassed to be an optimist.
The world will always have threats.
The question is: What do you see first?
People who believe they can succeed see opportunities where others see threats.
They aren’t naïve - they’re focused.
They aren’t ignoring reality - they’re choosing where to invest their energy.
Optimism is not denial.
Optimism is courage.
Life is good.
Marshall
441
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Make peace with what you do not know.
Trying to be great at too many things does more harm than good. Being great at anything is hard enough. It requires focus, clarity, and the humility to let go of other paths. They may be interesting or worthwhile - but they are not your path.
For many years, I had one main professional focus: helping great leaders achieve positive, lasting change in behavior. That focus shaped my career and gave my work meaning.
Today, I have added one more - helping you have a little better life. That’s it. I’ve learned that simplicity helps me find peace and get more done.
On the professional side of life, what really matters to you?
I would love your thoughts.
Life is good.
Marshall
225
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In my life as a coach, I have seen many great people get promoted. And many great people get fired.
Titles change. Offices change. Status changes. What does not change is who you are as a human being.
The message, “Never let your job title as a professional become your identity as a human being,” is important at any level and at any age.
When our identity becomes fused with our title, we rise and fall with every organizational shift. When our identity is grounded in our values, relationships, and character, we remain steady.
My wonderful friend, Hubert Joly, has made a remarkable transition into life after being a CEO. When I asked him why he has been so successful in this next chapter, while many others struggle, he shared this wisdom with me.
We are more than our business cards. We are fathers, mothers, friends, mentors, learners, and human beings.
Thank you, Hubert.
Life is good.
Marshall
395
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The great thing about the book of life is that you have a lot of input into the chapters yet to be written.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, can be too hard on yourselves. You hold on to past mistakes long after they have passed. You replay old chapters again and again, as if they can still be rewritten.
They cannot.
Those chapters are finished.
You lived them.
You learned from them.
That is enough.
The real opportunity is not in going back. It is in moving forward.
You are writing the next chapter right now - with your choices, your attitude, and your willingness to grow.
Forgive yourself for what is behind you. Appreciate what it taught you.
Then focus your energy where it belongs - on creating a great next chapter and, ultimately, a wonderful conclusion.
Life is good.
Marshall
543
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You are just as important to the people you care for as they are impotant to you.
Many of you, my readers, are deeply committed to helping others. You give your time, your energy, and your attention freely. You want to make a difference. You want to help the people you care about succeed and be happy.
In the process, it is easy to forget something important. Taking care of you.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. When you are exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed, you cannot be at your best for the people who depend on you.
The people who love you do not just appreciate what you do for them. They care about you as a human being. They want you to be healthy. They want you to be happy.
When you take time to rest, to reflect, and to care for your own well-being, you are not taking anything away from others. You are giving them a better version of you.
Treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you so freely give to others.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask for ideas on taking care of yourself.
245
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
“Go big or go home.” “Big hairy audacious goals.”“No guts, no glory.”
All of these mottos ignore one fact: The bigger and more audacious the goal, the higher the probability of failure.
People who take huge risks do not always win. In fact, most of the time, they fail.
If you doubt this, talk to any successful venture capitalist. They expect most investments to fail. Real risk, by definition, comes with a high probability of failure.
I am a strong believer in taking risks. For 47 years, I have had a guaranteed base salary of zero. I am also a believer in understanding reality.
Before you take a big chance, be honest about the odds. Do not confuse hope with probability.
Risk is not about assuming you will win. It is about being willing to try even when the chances are not in your favor.
Know what you are getting into. Then go for it - with your eyes open!
Life is good.
Marshall
195
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My friend, Dr. Udo Lange, flew in from Europe to help me celebrate my 77th birthday!
Five years ago, Udo shared his idea for a purpose with our mutual friend, Hubert Joly. Hubert’s response was simple: “Not good enough.”
After five weeks of deep reflection, Udo came back with a new insight. He realized that the quote below represented his higher purpose in life.
We can all create magic in the world by creating magic for the people we touch.
This idea may sound simple, but it is profound. Every day, in small moments, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a moment of genuine care can mean more than we realize.
My mission is to help you have a little better life. To me, that is how we create magic in the world.
Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.
Life is good.
Marshall
147
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Do you want your children to be happy? You go first!
Do you want the people you work with to be happy?
Do you want your neighbors to be happy?
Do you want the people you love to be happy?
You go first.
We spend so much time wishing happiness for others but we often forget wish it for ourselves.
If you want to inspire joy, be joyful. If you want to spread peace, be peaceful. If you want your children to grow up with confidence, let them see what confidence looks like in you.
Leading by example isn’t just about performance or success, it is about life.
Your happiness is not just good for you. It’s a gift to those who love you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It can help you at work and in life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every major corporation has values. Most sound very similar.
Companies often spend far too much time creating value statements and far too little time helping leaders act like human beings.
At the end of the day, what we do matters far more than what we say.
People do not learn values from posters, presentations, or speeches. They learn from observing how leaders behave - especially in small, everyday moments.
Do we listen? Do we show respect? Do we demonstrate kindness when it is not required?
These moments may seem minor, but they are not. They are the real test of our values.
One minute of genuine human kindness can have more impact than an hour of talking about what we believe.
If we want values to matter, we need to live them.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is free and you can ask it whatever you wish.
236
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be wonderful to find a tranquil setting, meditate, and experience peace. You do not live there. You live in the real world of ongoing chaos and drama.
The only time you can experience peace is now. The only place you can experience peace is where you are.
Many of us believe we will find peace “someday” - when things calm down, when problems are solved, or when life becomes more predictable. That day rarely comes.
Lasting peace does not come from what is outside of us. It comes from within.
The world around you may remain busy, uncertain, and at times overwhelming. You cannot always control that. What you can control is your response.
You can choose to pause. You can choose to breathe. You can choose to let go.
Peace is not a place you go. It is a state you create.
Make peace where you are.
Life is good.
Marshall
125
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Facing temptation takes a lot of willpower. Avoiding temptation takes a little wisdom!
Odysseus had to put in a huge amount of effort to avoid falling into the trap of temptation. In your case, I would recommend that you just use your GPS and go in another direction.
You don’t need to prove your willpower. Just set yourself up to win.
We often tell ourselves that strength comes from resisting temptation. But the truth is, our environment beats our willpower most of the time.
Want to eat better? Don’t stock the junk food. Want to stay focused? Keep the distractions out of reach.
Discipline isn’t about fighting urges all day. It’s about designing a life where the fight never starts.
Life is good.
Marshall
198
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In the future, to win more, you will need to do more than repeat what has already worked. You will need to keep evolving.
Change more. The world is not standing still. What made you successful yesterday may not be enough tomorrow.
Try more. Progress comes from action. The more you try, the more opportunities you create.
Fail more. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Each setback brings a lesson.
Experiment more. Innovation does not come from certainty. It comes from testing, adjusting, and trying again.
Learn more. The people who keep growing are the people who keep winning.
The future will not reward those who play it safe and repeat the past. It will reward those who are willing to stretch, adapt, and grow.
Life is good.
Marshall
169
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are waiting for perfection, get ready for a long wait.
Some people spend their whole lives waiting for everything to be just right - before they speak up, start the project, or say “I love you.”
Here’s the secret: perfection is always running late.
You don’t need flawless timing, spotless plans, or universal approval. What you need is a little courage, a little forgiveness, and a sense of humor.
Start where you are. Do your best. Then get some sleep.
Life is good (not perfect).
Marshall
352
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Tomorrow is my 77th birthday! People often ask me what I'd change about my life. My answer is always: Nothing!
Because that would take away the lessons I learned from my mistakes.
We all love success stories. But if you’re honest, most of your growth didn’t come from winning.
It came from getting it wrong, feeling the sting, and learning how to do it better next time.
Humility keeps you open.
Arrogance shuts you down.
And the moment you think you’ve “arrived” is usually when you stop improving.
Don’t erase your mistakes.
Study them.
Own them.
Thank them.
They’re life’s most consistent teachers.
At age almost 77, I am stll making mistakes and still learning!
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask as many questions as you wish!
422
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The first step is almost always the hardest.
The first push-up.
The first sales call.
The first minute of writing.
Before we begin, our minds are very creative. We imagine how hard it will be, how long it will take, and how uncomfortable we might feel. So we delay. We wait for motivation. We wait for confidence. We wait for the “right” moment.
That moment may never arrive.
What does work is far simpler. Make a small, clear commitment to get started. Just begin. Do one push-up. Write one sentence. Make one call. Once you take that first step, momentum starts to work for you instead of against you.
In my experience coaching leaders, the odds of finishing go up dramatically once people simply start. Action creates energy. Progress builds confidence.
Motivation follows movement, not the other way around.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and get started asking questions!
126
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most important things in life do not cost any money.
It is easy to get distracted by what we can buy, achieve, or accumulate. Yet when we pause and reflect, the moments that truly matter are much simpler. A meaningful conversation. A shared laugh. A quiet walk. Time with people we care about.
The most precious resource we have is not money. It is time.
Unlike money, time cannot be earned back, saved, or multiplied. Once it is gone, it is gone. This is what makes it so valuable. Every moment we spend is a choice about how we live our lives.
My advice is simple. Be intentional with your time. Spend it on what brings meaning, connection, and joy. Be present with the people you love. Appreciate the small moments that make life worth living.
In the end, a well-lived life is not measured by what we have. It is measured by how we used the time we were given.
Life is good.
Marshall
201
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My mission is to help you have a little better life. Today is my 77th birthday.
If you would like to give me a gift, here is something meaningful you can do.
Please help one extra person have a little better day.
It does not need to be big. Make one extra person smile. Say something kind. Take a moment to listen. Go a little out of your way to be helpful.
These small acts matter more than we think. They ripple outward in ways we may never see.
If you have a chance, I would love for you to share what you did - or what you plan to do - in the comments. Your ideas may inspire someone else to do the same.
Thank you for your amazing support, your kindness, and your willingness to make a difference.
I am so grateful to you.
I hope I can keep going for as long as I can help others.
Life is good.
Marshall
412
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Why are you angry in the first place?
Nine times out of ten, it’s not worth it.
Abraham Lincoln said, “You can tell the greatness of a person by what makes them angry.”
I think he's right!
Not all anger is bad. But most of it is misplaced.
Chances are, you’re getting angry at an empty boat.
That’s the old Buddhist story: you’re rowing across the river when another boat crashes into you. You explode in anger — until you realize the boat’s empty.
There was never anyone to blame.
That’s most of life.
People forget, misspeak, and disappoint us. It's rarely out of malice!
Great leaders don’t suppress emotion. They select it.
They save their fire for what truly matters and let the rest drift away.
Life is good.
Marshall
622
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of our greatest causes of stress is trying to control what we cannot, or should not, control.
I have a suggestion. Instead of today’s “to do” list, make a “let it go” list.
Include the items that are bothering you but are beyond your influence.
Many of us waste an enormous amount of time and energy trying to manage outcomes we cannot change - other people’s decisions, past events, or uncertain futures. This effort does not create progress. It creates frustration.
One of the most powerful ways to achieve real, positive change in life is to focus. Focus on what you can influence. Direct your time and energy toward actions that can make a meaningful difference for you and for the people around you.
Let go of the rest.
When we release the need to control everything, we create space for clarity, effectiveness, and peace.
Make peace with what is.
Life is good.
Marshall
218
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As parents, teachers, and leaders, we can become so focused on improvement that we forget appreciation.
This lesson applies not only to how we treat others, but also to how we treat ourselves. My surveys paint a very clear picture. You, my readers, are often far too self-critical.
We are trained to find problems, fix gaps, and push for better. While this can drive achievement, it can also take away joy. When we only see what is missing, we fail to appreciate what is already good.
I have some very simple advice. Do not do this to other people. More importantly, do not do this to yourself. Take a moment to recognize progress, not just problems.
If we can learn to balance improvement with appreciation, we can help others - and ourselves - have a little better life.
Life is good.
Marshall
119
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of the great excuses leaders make for not changing behavior that clearly need to change is, “That is just the way I am!”
s a coach, I often respond with a few simple questions: “Why does that have to be the way you are?” or “Do you have an incurable condition that makes change impossible?”
In most cases, the answer is no. The real issue is not ability. It is identity.
When we define who we have been in the past as the “real me,” we quietly eliminate the possibility of becoming a better version of ourselves. We turn habits into destiny.
This belief can be comforting. It can also be limiting.
Growth requires a willingness to question our own story. It asks us to see ourselves not as fixed, but as evolving.
As you move through life, try not to stereotype people - especially yourself.
You are not just who you have been. You are who you choose to become.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. Who knows? It may help you become the person you can be!
150
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Thank you for helping me have a wonderful life!
I love reading your reflections, suggestions, and survey responses. They help me learn, grow, and see the world in new ways. At age 77, I am still learning every day - and I am grateful that you are helping me do it!
As I look back on my life, I am so thankful for the many wise teachers, mentors, and friends who have so generously helped me along the way. Whatever I have been able to accomplish is, in large part, because of their kindness and support.
If, in even a small way, I can help you as they have helped me, then I feel I have fulfilled my mission.
Thank you for your generosity, your engagement, and your willingness to make a positive difference in the world - not just for me, but for so many others.
Life is good.
Marshall
361
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be tempting to try and forget what happened when we fail. This is a mistake.
A better approach is to pause and reflect. Ask yourself two simple questions: “What could I have done differently?” and “What can I learn for the future?”
Too often, we rush past failure and miss the lessons it offers. Yet in many cases, we learn far more from what went wrong than from what went right.
Failure reminds us that we are human. It gives us the opportunity to practice acceptance, to forgive ourselves, and to move forward with greater wisdom.
The goal is not to avoid mistakes. The goal is to learn from them.
If failure is expensive, then learning is your return on investment.
Life is good.
Marshall
144
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You can believe in yourself be humble at the same time.
Ken Blanchard is a great thinker, teacher and human being. He also believes in himself.
The greatest leaders that I have ever met all believed in themselves. They knew they deserved to be where they were.
They were also not fixated on themselves.
They were focused on serving others.
They asked for feedback from their stakeholders.
They worked on personal improvement.
They believed in themselves enough to know that it was OK to admit to being human.
In Ken's terms, they did not think less of themselves - they thought about themselves less!
Humility is often misunderstood. Too many people think it means putting yourself down, minimizing your strengths, or pretending you aren’t talented. That’s not humility - that’s insecurity.
Humility isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And it’s one of the most powerful strengths a leader can develop.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It is free and keeps getting better.
513
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the wisest people that I have ever met have little in the way of a fancy education.
Although my education gave me a wonderful background, I have learned far more from my coaching clients, than I have learned in any class.
The 'real world' can be a great teacher.
One of our best Stakeholder Centered Coaches was my late friend, Chris Coffey. Chris did not have much formal education in our field. He did achieve amazing results with our coaching clients.
To me, education is nice - results are better!
Speaking of wisdom. It is never wise - and never respectful - to disparage people who may have less education than we may have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. I hope that some of them are useful to you.
Life is good.
Marshall
307
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have worked with hundreds of the highest achievers in the world. One thing I have learned is simple - no one truly “has it all together.”
We are all human.
Every day, we wake up, make mistakes, learn, improve, and begin again.
“And they lived happily ever after” may work in fairy tales. It does not describe real life.
As Anne Hathaway reminds us, we do not need to have it together every minute of every day. In fact, it helps to find ourselves a little amusing. Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep making mistakes.
The only people who never fail are those who do not try enough.
At age 77, I have learned something else. Life is short. Time passes quickly. Do not wait for perfection before you allow yourself to enjoy it.
Enjoy this moment. It is all we really have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Life is good.
Marshall
244
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
March 20th is my 77th birthday! I am so grateful to you, my readers, for your amazing support and encouragement. In the past year alone, someone has read one of my posts over 26 million times. I love reading your comments, reactions, reflections and suggestions.
You are giving my the best birthday gift in the world. The gift of meaning in life.
My mission is simple. I just want to help you have a little better life. Whenever I can do that, I declare victory with life.
Please keep visiting MarshallGoldsmith.com and MarshallGoldsmith.com. I am doing me best to give everything I know, at no charge, to as many people as I can.
At 77, Life is good.
Marshall
3K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the leaders say they want "solutions, not problems."
They think a quiet office is a sign of a well-oiled machine.
General Colin Powell knew better. He understood that silence is not success.
Silence is usually a sign of fear.
If your team has stopped bringing you their challenges, it doesn't mean the challenges have disappeared.
It means they have stopped believing you can - or will - help fix them.
They have either lost confidence in your ability, or they fear your reaction.
When you punish the messenger who brings you bad news, you create a culture of silence. And in a culture of silence, you are flying blind.
Leadership is not about hearing what you want to hear. It is about hearing what you need to hear.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for more ideas on leadership and life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or leader, it is always wise to reflect on legacy. Our legacy is not just what we leave behind, it is what continues when we are no longer there.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time with two of my heroes Fred Hassan and Harry Kraemer. Both had extraordinary careers as leaders. Yet what they are most proud of is not their titles or achievements, it is the positive impact they had on other people.
Their legacy lives on through countless leaders who were influenced by their wisdom, and who, in turn, have impacted thousands more.
Knowing you have made a positive difference in another person’s life is something no amount of money can buy.
Every day, in every interaction, we leave something behind.
The question is not if we create a legacy.
The question is - what are we leaving in people?
Life is good.
Marshall
283
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You are just as important to the people you care for as they are impotant to you.
Many of you, my readers, are deeply committed to helping others. You give your time, your energy, and your attention freely. You want to make a difference. You want to help the people you care about succeed and be happy.
In the process, it is easy to forget something important. Taking care of you.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. When you are exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed, you cannot be at your best for the people who depend on you.
The people who love you do not just appreciate what you do for them. They care about you as a human being. They want you to be healthy. They want you to be happy.
When you take time to rest, to reflect, and to care for your own well-being, you are not taking anything away from others. You are giving them a better version of you.
Treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you so freely give to others.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask for ideas on taking care of yourself.
245
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In some cases, people define “authentic” as always saying whatever is on their mind. That only makes sense if your higher purpose in life is to constantly express your opinion.
In any interaction, at work or at home, pause and ask yourself a simple question: What is my higher purpose right now?
Then breathe.
Stop.
Think.
Then speak.
It is easy to get lost in the moment. We react. We defend. We try to be heard. In doing so, we can forget what really matters.
Before you speak, ask: Why am I saying this now?
Is it to help?
Is it to make a difference?
Or is it just to express what is on my mind?
Not every thought needs to be shared.
Not every opinion needs to be spoken.
Great leaders - and great human beings - learn to align their words with their purpose.
When our purpose guides our communication, we do not just express ourselves, we serve a higher mission.
And in the end, that is why we are here.
Life is good.
Marshall
286
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Do you want your children to be happy? You go first!
Do you want the people you work with to be happy?
Do you want your neighbors to be happy?
Do you want the people you love to be happy?
You go first.
We spend so much time wishing happiness for others but we often forget wish it for ourselves.
If you want to inspire joy, be joyful. If you want to spread peace, be peaceful. If you want your children to grow up with confidence, let them see what confidence looks like in you.
Leading by example isn’t just about performance or success, it is about life.
Your happiness is not just good for you. It’s a gift to those who love you.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It can help you at work and in life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Today is my 77th birthday. I received a wonderful surprise. My great friend, Tasha Eurich, flew in to help me celebrate. She is the world expert in self-awareness, and I love her quote.
Sometimes we are puzzled by the way other people think and act. Why do they behave this way? Why do they not see what seems so obvious to us?
In my own life, I have almost always found the source of my challenges in one place - the mirror.
The first person any leader needs to understand is the person they see in the mirror. When we increase our own self-awareness, we begin to understand others with greater clarity, patience, and compassion.
This lesson is simple, but not easy. It requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to look within.
On my birthday, I am grateful to still be learning.
Life is good.
Marshall
348
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Facing temptation takes a lot of willpower. Avoiding temptation takes a little wisdom!
Odysseus had to put in a huge amount of effort to avoid falling into the trap of temptation. In your case, I would recommend that you just use your GPS and go in another direction.
You don’t need to prove your willpower. Just set yourself up to win.
We often tell ourselves that strength comes from resisting temptation. But the truth is, our environment beats our willpower most of the time.
Want to eat better? Don’t stock the junk food. Want to stay focused? Keep the distractions out of reach.
Discipline isn’t about fighting urges all day. It’s about designing a life where the fight never starts.
Life is good.
Marshall
198
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
To produce real change as a coach, be a realist. Objective assess 'what is' not 'what I think it should be'. Then focus with your clients on 'how can we make it better' not 'why do you have this problem'.
203
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Tomorrow is my 77th birthday! People often ask me what I'd change about my life. My answer is always: Nothing!
Because that would take away the lessons I learned from my mistakes.
We all love success stories. But if you’re honest, most of your growth didn’t come from winning.
It came from getting it wrong, feeling the sting, and learning how to do it better next time.
Humility keeps you open.
Arrogance shuts you down.
And the moment you think you’ve “arrived” is usually when you stop improving.
Don’t erase your mistakes.
Study them.
Own them.
Thank them.
They’re life’s most consistent teachers.
At age almost 77, I am stll making mistakes and still learning!
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and ask as many questions as you wish!
422
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have had the honor of coaching five leaders who were considered the best CEO in America at the time. Although they were all truly great, none were perfect. Even more important, none pretended to be.
We can all improve. The most successful leaders I have worked with share one common trait - humility. They do not assume they have all the answers. Instead, they actively seek input from the people around them.
Stakeholder Centered Coaching is built on this belief. It begins with asking your key stakeholders for ideas on how you and the organization can get better. It continues with practicing feedforward: focusing on the future, not the past. And it requires a commitment to learning, over and over again.
Great leaders are not defined by perfection. They are defined by their willingness to grow.
If you cannot think of one thing you need to do better—pick humility.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for ideas on how you can get even better!
786
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My mission is to help you have a little better life. Today is my 77th birthday.
If you would like to give me a gift, here is something meaningful you can do.
Please help one extra person have a little better day.
It does not need to be big. Make one extra person smile. Say something kind. Take a moment to listen. Go a little out of your way to be helpful.
These small acts matter more than we think. They ripple outward in ways we may never see.
If you have a chance, I would love for you to share what you did - or what you plan to do - in the comments. Your ideas may inspire someone else to do the same.
Thank you for your amazing support, your kindness, and your willingness to make a difference.
I am so grateful to you.
I hope I can keep going for as long as I can help others.
Life is good.
Marshall
412
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
No one can be everything, to everyone, every day. Let it go.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, are often too hard on yourselves. You want to be exceptional at work, a wonderful friend and family member, stay in great physical condition, and somehow, in your spare time, make the world a better place.
You cannot do it all at once.
Make peace with the changing seasons of your life. Some years may be focused on achievement. Some on family and relationships. Some on health and renewal.
It is OK.
There is only one suggestion I have for every season: learn to enjoy the process of life itself.
I just celebrated my 77th birthday. The years pass quickly.
Enjoy them.
Life is good.
Marshall
619
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As parents, teachers, and leaders, we can become so focused on improvement that we forget appreciation.
This lesson applies not only to how we treat others, but also to how we treat ourselves. My surveys paint a very clear picture. You, my readers, are often far too self-critical.
We are trained to find problems, fix gaps, and push for better. While this can drive achievement, it can also take away joy. When we only see what is missing, we fail to appreciate what is already good.
I have some very simple advice. Do not do this to other people. More importantly, do not do this to yourself. Take a moment to recognize progress, not just problems.
If we can learn to balance improvement with appreciation, we can help others - and ourselves - have a little better life.
Life is good.
Marshall
119
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I just turned 77! The years pass so fast.
I have read thousands of comments from you, my readers.
You impress me as thoughtful, kind and hard-working people.
You want to learn and grow.
My suggestions for many of you are:
- If you believe that you can make a positive difference, go for it.
- Don't be hesitant to promote your own career.
- Don't worry so much.
- 'Let go' of a lot of stuff that you have been carrying around.
- Quit trying to be the perfect 'everything' to 'everybody'.
- Enjoy the process of life as you live it.
Keep reading my LinkedIn posts! If not for your sake, for mine! I love hearing from you!
Be happy now.
Life is good.
Marshall
581
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be tempting to try and forget what happened when we fail. This is a mistake.
A better approach is to pause and reflect. Ask yourself two simple questions: “What could I have done differently?” and “What can I learn for the future?”
Too often, we rush past failure and miss the lessons it offers. Yet in many cases, we learn far more from what went wrong than from what went right.
Failure reminds us that we are human. It gives us the opportunity to practice acceptance, to forgive ourselves, and to move forward with greater wisdom.
The goal is not to avoid mistakes. The goal is to learn from them.
If failure is expensive, then learning is your return on investment.
Life is good.
Marshall
144
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Up until our twenties, we tend to succeed by focusing on ourselves - earning good grades, gaining recognition, and striving to be the best at what we do.
As we move into increasingly important leadership roles, that focus begins to shift. Success as a leader is no longer about personal achievement. It is about helping others succeed.
The great entrepreneur learns to scale the business by empowering others. The great salesperson grows by developing other salespeople. The great athlete evolves into a great coach.
Leadership is not about being the star. It is about creating other stars.
As leaders, we need to keep our focus where it belongs - on the people we serve. Their growth becomes our success.
If we continue to focus only on ourselves, we limit our impact. When we shift our focus to others, we multiply it.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I hope MGAI can help you become a better leader!
296
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have worked with hundreds of the highest achievers in the world. One thing I have learned is simple - no one truly “has it all together.”
We are all human.
Every day, we wake up, make mistakes, learn, improve, and begin again.
“And they lived happily ever after” may work in fairy tales. It does not describe real life.
As Anne Hathaway reminds us, we do not need to have it together every minute of every day. In fact, it helps to find ourselves a little amusing. Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep making mistakes.
The only people who never fail are those who do not try enough.
At age 77, I have learned something else. Life is short. Time passes quickly. Do not wait for perfection before you allow yourself to enjoy it.
Enjoy this moment. It is all we really have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Life is good.
Marshall
244
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Make peace with what you do not know.
Trying to be great at too many things does more harm than good. Being great at anything is hard enough. It requires focus, clarity, and the humility to let go of other paths. They may be interesting or worthwhile - but they are not your path.
For many years, I had one main professional focus: helping great leaders achieve positive, lasting change in behavior. That focus shaped my career and gave my work meaning.
Today, I have added one more - helping you have a little better life. That’s it. I’ve learned that simplicity helps me find peace and get more done.
On the professional side of life, what really matters to you?
I would love your thoughts.
Life is good.
Marshall
225
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The great thing about the book of life is that you have a lot of input into the chapters yet to be written.
My surveys consistently show that you, my readers, can be too hard on yourselves. You hold on to past mistakes long after they have passed. You replay old chapters again and again, as if they can still be rewritten.
They cannot.
Those chapters are finished.
You lived them.
You learned from them.
That is enough.
The real opportunity is not in going back. It is in moving forward.
You are writing the next chapter right now - with your choices, your attitude, and your willingness to grow.
Forgive yourself for what is behind you. Appreciate what it taught you.
Then focus your energy where it belongs - on creating a great next chapter and, ultimately, a wonderful conclusion.
Life is good.
Marshall
543
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Being smart is not the same as being open!
Many high achievers already have a full cup.
It’s filled with past success, strong opinions, and a long track record of being right.
That cup got them here.
And now it’s 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, “What might I be missing?”
Enough to learn from someone who doesn’t look as accomplished as you.
You don’t need to know less.
You need to be less attached to what you already know.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It may open your mind to new ways of looking at the world.
571
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
My friend, Dr. Udo Lange, flew in from Europe to help me celebrate my 77th birthday!
Five years ago, Udo shared his idea for a purpose with our mutual friend, Hubert Joly. Hubert’s response was simple: “Not good enough.”
After five weeks of deep reflection, Udo came back with a new insight. He realized that the quote below represented his higher purpose in life.
We can all create magic in the world by creating magic for the people we touch.
This idea may sound simple, but it is profound. Every day, in small moments, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a moment of genuine care can mean more than we realize.
My mission is to help you have a little better life. To me, that is how we create magic in the world.
Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.
Life is good.
Marshall
147
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Forgiveness is very easy to talk about and very hard to do.
We want others to forgive us for our mistakes.
It is hard for us to forgive them.
The quote below is about 6,000 years old. It is as beautiful today as it was then.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai!
449
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
It can be wonderful to find a tranquil setting, meditate, and experience peace. You do not live there. You live in the real world of ongoing chaos and drama.
The only time you can experience peace is now. The only place you can experience peace is where you are.
Many of us believe we will find peace “someday” - when things calm down, when problems are solved, or when life becomes more predictable. That day rarely comes.
Lasting peace does not come from what is outside of us. It comes from within.
The world around you may remain busy, uncertain, and at times overwhelming. You cannot always control that. What you can control is your response.
You can choose to pause. You can choose to breathe. You can choose to let go.
Peace is not a place you go. It is a state you create.
Make peace where you are.
Life is good.
Marshall
125
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Learn to celebrate the small victories that you win almost every day.
We have been trained to believe that happiness comes at the end of a journey.
When we achieve the goal. When we reach the milestone. When we “win.”
But what if we stop and appreciate all that we have already won?
Every day, we have opportunities to appreciate what is good in our lives. Our health, our relationships, our ability to learn, grow, and make a difference.
We too often fail to appreciate ourselves. We tell ourselves, “I will be happy when…”
That day may never come.
One of the most powerful habits we can develop is learning to “declare victory” at the end of each day. Not because everything is perfect, but because of all that is good in our lives.
This simple shift does not reduce our ambition. It enhances our gratitude.
You do not have to wait for a big moment to feel successful.
You can decide that today was a good day.
Life is good.
Marshall
155
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are waiting for perfection, get ready for a long wait.
Some people spend their whole lives waiting for everything to be just right - before they speak up, start the project, or say “I love you.”
Here’s the secret: perfection is always running late.
You don’t need flawless timing, spotless plans, or universal approval. What you need is a little courage, a little forgiveness, and a sense of humor.
Start where you are. Do your best. Then get some sleep.
Life is good (not perfect).
Marshall
352
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I need help. And it is OK! We all need help. Coaches are no different.
One of the most common questions I am asked is, "Do YOU have a coach?"
I have had someone check in with me almost every day for 28 years. Why? I know how hard it is to 'live' what I 'teach'. If I do not have someone check in to make sure I do my daily questions, guess what? I do not do nearly as well.
How many of the top ten tennis players have a coach? They all have more than one coach. Why? They keep focused on getting better.
I certainly do not think that I 'better' than my clients in any way. They are smart, dedicated people with the highest integrity. If they did not need any help, they would not hire me. They need help. And it is OK! I need help. And it is OK!
Medical doctors need a doctor. Why do medical doctors live no longer than college professors or accountants (maybe not as long). One of their biggest problems occurs when they try to be their own doctor!
I have thousands of readers who are coaches. My advice is simple. Get a coach!!!
Life is good.
Marshall
To get some more help, please try MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is not a coach, but it is a great source of ideas!
217
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most important things in life do not cost any money.
It is easy to get distracted by what we can buy, achieve, or accumulate. Yet when we pause and reflect, the moments that truly matter are much simpler. A meaningful conversation. A shared laugh. A quiet walk. Time with people we care about.
The most precious resource we have is not money. It is time.
Unlike money, time cannot be earned back, saved, or multiplied. Once it is gone, it is gone. This is what makes it so valuable. Every moment we spend is a choice about how we live our lives.
My advice is simple. Be intentional with your time. Spend it on what brings meaning, connection, and joy. Be present with the people you love. Appreciate the small moments that make life worth living.
In the end, a well-lived life is not measured by what we have. It is measured by how we used the time we were given.
Life is good.
Marshall
201
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If you are not finding hope and joy where you are now, start finding a way out!
I know that this can be tough. You may need to learn new skills. You probably don't have much time to spare as it is. You are already 'over-loaded'.
It is still worth it.
If you’re stuck, pause and ask, “What one small step can I take - today - to move in a direction that serves my higher purpose?”
And if you catch yourself saying, “I can’t…”
Look down.
As the wise Epictetus would ask you:
See any roots?
Life is good.
Marshall
Thank you so much for reading my posts. As Buddha said, "Only do what I teach, if it works for you." I hope that at least some of my teaching works for you.
For more ideas, please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. Who knows? You might get a good idea or two.
375
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of our greatest causes of stress is trying to control what we cannot, or should not, control.
I have a suggestion. Instead of today’s “to do” list, make a “let it go” list.
Include the items that are bothering you but are beyond your influence.
Many of us waste an enormous amount of time and energy trying to manage outcomes we cannot change - other people’s decisions, past events, or uncertain futures. This effort does not create progress. It creates frustration.
One of the most powerful ways to achieve real, positive change in life is to focus. Focus on what you can influence. Direct your time and energy toward actions that can make a meaningful difference for you and for the people around you.
Let go of the rest.
When we release the need to control everything, we create space for clarity, effectiveness, and peace.
Make peace with what is.
Life is good.
Marshall
218
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
I have spent hundreds of hours helping my clients practice communicating important messages. Most of that time is not spent on their words. It is spent on the feelings they are communicating (often unintentionally).
My advice is simple. Whenever you have the opportunity, do what my clients do. Practice!
Never assume that the feeling in your heart is the feeling that shows on your face. Our good intentions are not always visible to others.
My friend and former client Alan Mulally said it best:
“As the CEO, when I frown, the stock price goes down!”
This lesson matters just as much at home as it does at work. After a long, difficult day, do not assume your nonverbal behavior communicates “I care” or “I love you” to the people who matter most.
As Maya Angelou wisely said, people may forget what we say - but they never forget how we make them feel.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It if free and keeps getting better!
91
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
Thank you for helping me have a wonderful life!
I love reading your reflections, suggestions, and survey responses. They help me learn, grow, and see the world in new ways. At age 77, I am still learning every day - and I am grateful that you are helping me do it!
As I look back on my life, I am so thankful for the many wise teachers, mentors, and friends who have so generously helped me along the way. Whatever I have been able to accomplish is, in large part, because of their kindness and support.
If, in even a small way, I can help you as they have helped me, then I feel I have fulfilled my mission.
Thank you for your generosity, your engagement, and your willingness to make a positive difference in the world - not just for me, but for so many others.
Life is good.
Marshall
361
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
If people can leave and get a pay raise, they are volunteers. Treat them that way!
In my classes around the world, I would often ask, “Do you manage anyone who could leave and get a pay raise tomorrow?” The answer was almost always, “Yes!”
Then I share what Peter Drucker taught me:
Treat them as if you were running a volunteer organization - and they were generously volunteering their time to help you. Because, in essence, they are!
In fact, if they could leave and make more money, they are actually taking a pay cut to work with you. That deserves your deepest respect.
One reason Peter admired leaders in the nonprofit world, like the amazing Frances Hesselbein of the Girl Scouts, is because they knew how to inspire and lead people who didn’t have to be there. For-profit leaders can learn a lot from them. I sure did.
Please share your reflections in the comments.
And try out MarshallGoldsmith.ai. I’d love your feedback.
Life is good.
Marshall
1.4K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the wisest people that I have ever met have little in the way of a fancy education.
Although my education gave me a wonderful background, I have learned far more from my coaching clients, than I have learned in any class.
The 'real world' can be a great teacher.
One of our best Stakeholder Centered Coaches was my late friend, Chris Coffey. Chris did not have much formal education in our field. He did achieve amazing results with our coaching clients.
To me, education is nice - results are better!
Speaking of wisdom. It is never wise - and never respectful - to disparage people who may have less education than we may have.
Thank you for reading my reflections. I hope that some of them are useful to you.
Life is good.
Marshall
307
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Never be embarrassed to be an optimist.
The world will always have threats.
The question is: What do you see first?
People who believe they can succeed see opportunities where others see threats.
They aren’t naïve - they’re focused.
They aren’t ignoring reality - they’re choosing where to invest their energy.
Optimism is not denial.
Optimism is courage.
Life is good.
Marshall
441
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Many of the leaders say they want "solutions, not problems."
They think a quiet office is a sign of a well-oiled machine.
General Colin Powell knew better. He understood that silence is not success.
Silence is usually a sign of fear.
If your team has stopped bringing you their challenges, it doesn't mean the challenges have disappeared.
It means they have stopped believing you can - or will - help fix them.
They have either lost confidence in your ability, or they fear your reaction.
When you punish the messenger who brings you bad news, you create a culture of silence. And in a culture of silence, you are flying blind.
Leadership is not about hearing what you want to hear. It is about hearing what you need to hear.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai for more ideas on leadership and life.
191
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
We cannot control what happens outside us. We alone are responsible for what happens inside us.
Life is not fair. Bad breaks happen. The 'unexpected' is almost the norm.
We cannot really plan a year with the expecation that nothing 'unforseen' will occur. Or a month. Or a day!
We can control our response to the unexpected triggers in life. (I wrote a book about this.)
Breathe. Reflect - even if it is only for a few seconds. Go back to your values. Think - what is the right thing to do in this situation.
Do that. Make peace. Move on.
Life is good.
Marshall
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
“Go big or go home.” “Big hairy audacious goals.”“No guts, no glory.”
All of these mottos ignore one fact: The bigger and more audacious the goal, the higher the probability of failure.
People who take huge risks do not always win. In fact, most of the time, they fail.
If you doubt this, talk to any successful venture capitalist. They expect most investments to fail. Real risk, by definition, comes with a high probability of failure.
I am a strong believer in taking risks. For 47 years, I have had a guaranteed base salary of zero. I am also a believer in understanding reality.
Before you take a big chance, be honest about the odds. Do not confuse hope with probability.
Risk is not about assuming you will win. It is about being willing to try even when the chances are not in your favor.
Know what you are getting into. Then go for it - with your eyes open!
Life is good.
Marshall
195
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every post you read says, "Go for it!" MAYBE NOT.
Before taking a risk, ask yourself: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
When I was 27, I made one of the dumbest decisions of my life.
I had a mortgage, a pregnant wife, and a promising career. On a trip to the beach, I was riding a boogie board with friends. The waves were big. I caught a couple. It felt good. I was feeling macho! Then a huge wave appeared on the horizon.
My friends said, “Go for it!”
So I did.
And I broke my neck in two places.
Thankfully, I recovered after months of therapy. But the experience taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
Before you take a risk, stop and ask: What is the real reason I’m doing this?
In this case:
- I wasn’t working toward a meaningful goal.
- I wasn’t acting in service of others.
- I wasn’t living my purpose.
- I was feeding my ego.
We all face moments like this—in life, in leadership, in business. Moments when the “why” behind the risk is unclear. Could it be driven by our pride, our fear, our vanity or even worse, our need to get a cheap thrill?
So before your next big leap, ask:
- Is this risk aligned with who I want to be?
- Is this about making a difference
- Is it about me proving how great I am?
What’s the deeper reason that I am doing this?
You may still take the risk. But at least you’ll do it with clarity—and not just because someone yelled, “Go for it!”
467
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Almost every major corporation has values. Most sound very similar.
Companies often spend far too much time creating value statements and far too little time helping leaders act like human beings.
At the end of the day, what we do matters far more than what we say.
People do not learn values from posters, presentations, or speeches. They learn from observing how leaders behave - especially in small, everyday moments.
Do we listen? Do we show respect? Do we demonstrate kindness when it is not required?
These moments may seem minor, but they are not. They are the real test of our values.
One minute of genuine human kindness can have more impact than an hour of talking about what we believe.
If we want values to matter, we need to live them.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. It is free and you can ask it whatever you wish.
236
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
"If we hang around negative people, we tend to become negative ourselves."
As much as you can, try to have conversations with people that are focused on doing somthing positive - not just tearing down another person or group.
For example, about 45 years ago, my wife and I had a dinner with a couple of co-workers. After dinner we both commented on how many times we had put down other people who were not there. Neither of us were proud of our behavior.
We finally realized that we were having dinner with a couple who did nothing but put other people down. We decided that it was not our place to judge them. It was our decision not to have dinner with them again.
If you wrestle with a pig, don't be shocked when you start getting dirty!
Life is good.
Marshall
856
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In the future, to win more, you will need to do more than repeat what has already worked. You will need to keep evolving.
Change more. The world is not standing still. What made you successful yesterday may not be enough tomorrow.
Try more. Progress comes from action. The more you try, the more opportunities you create.
Fail more. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Each setback brings a lesson.
Experiment more. Innovation does not come from certainty. It comes from testing, adjusting, and trying again.
Learn more. The people who keep growing are the people who keep winning.
The future will not reward those who play it safe and repeat the past. It will reward those who are willing to stretch, adapt, and grow.
Life is good.
Marshall
169
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The most powerful leadership is always leadership by example.
As we think about resolutions for the New Year, it is natural to focus on results.
What do I want to achieve?
What do I want to accomplish?
Those questions matter, but they are not enough.
Great leadership begins with a different question:
How can I help others see, in me, what I hope to see in them?
If we want our children to be happy, they need to see us choosing happiness.
If we want our teams to help each other, they need to see us helping first.
If we want people to grow, they need to see us growing.
People do not learn the most from what we say.
They learn from what we do, day after day.
The most powerful resolutions are not about control or instruction.
They are about modeling the behavior we hope will spread.
When we change ourselves, we inspire others permission to change as well.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai. You can ask all the questions you want and MGAI will do the best it can to help you. It is all free.
179
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
The first step is almost always the hardest.
The first push-up.
The first sales call.
The first minute of writing.
Before we begin, our minds are very creative. We imagine how hard it will be, how long it will take, and how uncomfortable we might feel. So we delay. We wait for motivation. We wait for confidence. We wait for the “right” moment.
That moment may never arrive.
What does work is far simpler. Make a small, clear commitment to get started. Just begin. Do one push-up. Write one sentence. Make one call. Once you take that first step, momentum starts to work for you instead of against you.
In my experience coaching leaders, the odds of finishing go up dramatically once people simply start. Action creates energy. Progress builds confidence.
Motivation follows movement, not the other way around.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and get started asking questions!
126
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Peter Drucker taught me many great lessons. This one led to 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' and changed my life.
Coaching around 'what to stop' does not sound inspirational. It does work!
Think of your own life and career. What do YOU need to stop? What are some of the most common 'needs to stop' areas that you see in the leaders you meet I would love to read your reflections, as well as your suggestions for leaders, in the comments section.
Life is good.
Marshall
678
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Why are you angry in the first place?
Nine times out of ten, it’s not worth it.
Abraham Lincoln said, “You can tell the greatness of a person by what makes them angry.”
I think he's right!
Not all anger is bad. But most of it is misplaced.
Chances are, you’re getting angry at an empty boat.
That’s the old Buddhist story: you’re rowing across the river when another boat crashes into you. You explode in anger — until you realize the boat’s empty.
There was never anyone to blame.
That’s most of life.
People forget, misspeak, and disappoint us. It's rarely out of malice!
Great leaders don’t suppress emotion. They select it.
They save their fire for what truly matters and let the rest drift away.
Life is good.
Marshall
622
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
As the pace of change in the world keeps accelerating, we need to keep learning about what is new, not just repeating what is old.
In a rapidly changing world, bragging about “years of experience” can be misleading. Experience only matters if it is still relevant.
What matters more is our willingness to learn, to adapt, and to grow.
We can all keep learning - at any age.
Yesterday, just after my 77th birthday, I was honored to be recognized by Favikon as the #3 Creator in Leadership and Management across all social media. I am grateful. More important, I am reminded that the journey of learning never ends.
It is easy to get comfortable. To repeat what has worked in the past. To stay on the same path.
But growth requires change.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Do not get stuck on the treadmill of repetition.
Even old dogs - like me - can keep learning new tricks.
And in today’s world, that may matter more than ever.
Life is good.
Marshall
223
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
One of the great excuses leaders make for not changing behavior that clearly need to change is, “That is just the way I am!”
s a coach, I often respond with a few simple questions: “Why does that have to be the way you are?” or “Do you have an incurable condition that makes change impossible?”
In most cases, the answer is no. The real issue is not ability. It is identity.
When we define who we have been in the past as the “real me,” we quietly eliminate the possibility of becoming a better version of ourselves. We turn habits into destiny.
This belief can be comforting. It can also be limiting.
Growth requires a willingness to question our own story. It asks us to see ourselves not as fixed, but as evolving.
As you move through life, try not to stereotype people - especially yourself.
You are not just who you have been. You are who you choose to become.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. Who knows? It may help you become the person you can be!
150
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
Over the years, I have found that the vehemence of a person’s opinion is often inversely related to their knowledge of the topic.
Many years ago, when I was an Associate Dean, faculty meetings never ceased to amaze me.
Professors with little knowledge of a topic - such as parking, building design, or fundraising - would often become the most animated and certain in their opinions. At the same time, those who actually understood the issue tended to express more nuanced and thoughtful views.
Three months before his passing, Martin Lindstrom and I had the honor of interviewing Daniel Kahneman. Despite being a Nobel laureate and one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time, he never spoke with absolute certainty. He was thoughtful, reflective, and open.
When we hear someone speak with complete certainty on almost any topic, it is wise to be skeptical - especially when we are the person doing the talking!
Life is good.
Marshall
111
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
You can believe in yourself be humble at the same time.
Ken Blanchard is a great thinker, teacher and human being. He also believes in himself.
The greatest leaders that I have ever met all believed in themselves. They knew they deserved to be where they were.
They were also not fixated on themselves.
They were focused on serving others.
They asked for feedback from their stakeholders.
They worked on personal improvement.
They believed in themselves enough to know that it was OK to admit to being human.
In Ken's terms, they did not think less of themselves - they thought about themselves less!
Humility is often misunderstood. Too many people think it means putting yourself down, minimizing your strengths, or pretending you aren’t talented. That’s not humility - that’s insecurity.
Humility isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And it’s one of the most powerful strengths a leader can develop.
Life is good.
Marshall
Please visit MarshallGoldsmith.ai and start asking questions. It is free and keeps getting better.
513
Marshall Goldsmith
Sales & Marketing
6mo
Our real legacy is the positive, lasting impact that we have had on real human beings.
Our real legacy is not determined by how many promotions or pay raises we get.
This lesson can be so hard to remember in the day-to-day drama of achieving goals and 'getting ahead'.
This lesson is hard to remember. When you get older, you will learn that it is painful to forget.
Life is good.
Marshall
THANK YOU for reading my reflections. I hope that they are helpful to you.
691
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
3mo
March 20th is my 77th birthday! I am so grateful to you, my readers, for your amazing support and encouragement. In the past year alone, someone has read one of my posts over 26 million times. I love reading your comments, reactions, reflections and suggestions.
You are giving my the best birthday gift in the world. The gift of meaning in life.
My mission is simple. I just want to help you have a little better life. Whenever I can do that, I declare victory with life.
Please keep visiting MarshallGoldsmith.com and MarshallGoldsmith.com. I am doing me best to give everything I know, at no charge, to as many people as I can.
At 77, Life is good.
Marshall
3K
Marshall Goldsmith
Tech & AI
2mo
In my life as a coach, I have seen many great people get promoted. And many great people get fired.
Titles change. Offices change. Status changes. What does not change is who you are as a human being.
The message, “Never let your job title as a professional become your identity as a human being,” is important at any level and at any age.
When our identity becomes fused with our title, we rise and fall with every organizational shift. When our identity is grounded in our values, relationships, and character, we remain steady.
My wonderful friend, Hubert Joly, has made a remarkable transition into life after being a CEO. When I asked him why he has been so successful in this next chapter, while many others struggle, he shared this wisdom with me.
We are more than our business cards. We are fathers, mothers, friends, mentors, learners, and human beings.
Thank you, Hubert.
Life is good.
Marshall
395