In a blog post that talks about working together, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about how the best leaders are ones who know they cannot do it alone.
“We love to help — don’t we realize that others do too?”
Goldsmith writes: “How many of us are reluctant to ask for help and, when we do, are surprised when that help is so happily given to us? We love to help — don’t we realize that others do too? The myth of the self-made individual is one of the more sacred fictions of modern life. It endures because it promises us a just and happy reward that is equal to our persistence, resourcefulness, and hard work. We should look at it with skepticism. It’s not impossible to achieve success on your own to the point where it could be accurately described as self-made. But the better question is: Why would you want to when you could surely achieve a better result by enlisting people’s help along the way?”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a master at asking for help. Thanks to his impassioned pleas in the face of the Russian invasion of his country, President Zelesnky has not only caught the world's attention, but convinced many western nations to aid Ukraine in its fight for survival against Russian aggression. The U.S. recently approved $34 billion aid to the country — including money for arms and humanitarian efforts — and the European Union is close to approving a large amount to help the embattled nation.
In The Earned Life Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crises, including regrets that stem from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroute destinies, and haunt our memories. These are particularly timely themes today.
With Goldsmith’s book as a guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life that is fulfilling in the long run.
You can read Marshall Goldsmith’s blog here.
About MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized for years as the world’s leading executive coach and the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Mojo, and Triggers. He received his Ph.D. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In his coaching practice, Goldsmith has advised more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.
About THE EARNED LIFE
In THE EARNED LIFE (Currency Books), Marshall Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crisis: regret, the kind stemming from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroutes destinies, and haunts our memories—particularly timely themes as the pandemic and Great Resignation inspire people to seek meaning in their lives, get unstuck and make changes. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life too fulfilling to dwell on the “what ifs.”
If you’d like more information on Marshall Goldsmith, The Earned Life, and his work, please get in touch with Lyda Goldsmith.
