Simple and actionable insights from the world’s leading executive coach.

Link to the podcast on iTunes Here (Inside Quest has rebranded since this episode to Impact Theory)

Marshall Goldsmith, displays in real time why he’s earned a lifetime of accolades assessing and coaching leaders. He actually practices his teachings and it has elevated him to coaching the CEOs of over 150 major corporations. The most compelling story  is how he pays someone to call and ask him active questions in order to hold himself accountable to his own beliefs.

Accountability is key to Marshall’s ethos and he’s the first to admit that it’s okay to be wrong. Being wrong means you admit you can do better. Embrace your lack of knowledge and see it as a learning opportunity instead of a weakness. At the end of the day, the only person you have to answer to is yourself. If it’s not working, change it.

I enjoy this episode so much because it’s insightful, straightforward, and actionable.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

1. Why you need to discover who you want to be
2. Why you need to let go of the things you can’t change.
3. Why it’s okay to be wrong as long as you’re always learning
4. How the most rewarding payment is through reaching someone
5. How an idea can take you all the way to success
6. Why you need to adopt “active questions” to hold yourself accountable
7. The difference between planners and do-ers
8. Why there’s nothing wrong with needing help
9. Why it’s time to calm the “monkey mind”
10. Why it’s an admirable move to admit you’re wrong

MY TAKEAWAYS

• Mission in life is to make a positive difference not prove how smart we are
• Decision are made by the person with power to make the decision, not right
• if we need to influence decision maker they are customer, you are salesperson
• sell what we can sell
• sell it sell it, change it change it, can’t change it let it go
• Difference between understanding and doing

His 6 daily questions

1. did I do my best to set clear goals
2. Did I do my best to make progress towards those goals
3. Did I do my best to find meaning
4. Did I do my best to be happy
5. Did I do my best to build positive relationships
6. Did I do my best to be fully engaged