HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 44)

INTERVIEW BY DAN PFISTER AN AUTHORITY ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, MARSHALL GOLDSMITH REVEALS WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM SUCCESS arshall Goldsmith has personally coached more than 80 top ceos for a hefty six-figure price tag (he has a six-month waiting list), and his leadership development process has impacted more than a million people. Business Week listed him as one of the most influential practitioners in the history of leadership development. His latest book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller. M HRP: All of us have enjoyed a certain degree of success at work; what’s the biggest thing holding us back from achieving even more HRP: Another thing you talk about is adding too success? much value. Aren’t we supposed to add as much value as we can? MG: To start with, we fall into the superstition trap. “I behave this way; I am successMG: The key there is “adding too much value,” not ful; therefore, I must be “adding value.” MY FAVOURITE THINGS successful because I behave Here’s what happens. I’m young, this way.” smart and enthusiastic. I report to First Job: Pumping gas at my Dad’s The reality is, we’re all you. I come to you with an idea and service station in Valley Station, Kentucky. successful because we do you think it’s a great idea. many things right, and Rather than saying, “Great idea!” Childhood ambition: Prove my electron theory. we’re successful in spite of doing You say, “That’s a nice idea, but why some things that are pretty stupid. don’t you add this to it?” Well, the Best Boss: Dr. Paul Hersey: He was very generous—sharing his knowledge Everybody has something on the problem is the quality of the idea with me. “because of” list and things on the may go up five per cent, but commitNext move: Finish my next book, Memo “in spite of” list. ment to its execution now goes down to the CEO: Developing Your Successor 50 per cent. Retirement Destination: My home in We get so wrapped up in improvHRP: Could you give an example of Rancho Santa Fe, California, and my ing the quality of the idea, we may what might hold back a manager? condo in Manhattan, but I have no reduce the commitment of the other MG: A classic problem is winning desire to ever “retire.” person. So before we “add value,” too much. Last iPod download: A playlist on think about whether our “value add” Successful people love winning. getting older, which I made when thinking about my 40th high-school is doing good or doing harm? I mean, success and winning are reunion. pretty synonymous. But what hapIdeal Vacation Destination: Home. pens is we get so fixated on winHRP: Another one of the problems I travel so much, home is a vacation ning that it’s hard to turn off that you talk about is passing judgment. for me. win button. As leaders and managers, don’t we Stress Reliever: Walking with my dog, For example, you want to go to continually need to pass judgment? Beau. dinner at Restaurant X. Your sigMG: The average American, accordFavourite author: Thich Nhat Hanh nificant other wants to go to ing to a study by Development Restaurant Y. A heated argument ensues. You go to Restaurant Y; the food tastes awful; the service is terrible. Option A: Critique the food and point out the partner was wrong. “This mistake could have been avoided if only you had listened to me, me, me, me, me.” Option B: Shut up! Eat the food, try to enjoy it, and have a nice evening. It’s very hard for smart, successful people not to constantly prove they’re right. 44 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7 / J a n u a r y 2 0 0 8 HR P R OF E S S I ON A L

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008

HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Contributors Leadership Matters Website Did You Know By the Numbers Technology Study News: Ontario Regulatory Enforcement Compensation News: Postponing Retirement Legal Compensation On Message Public Image Ltd. Building Brand Equity Research Strategy HR 101 Interview with Marshall Goldsmith Off the Shelf The Last Word

HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008

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