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    WebinarSystemic Collaboration 2009 120 min

    Helping Successful Leaders Get Even Better: What Got You Here Won''t Get You There! And Microsoft''s Exceptional Potential Coaching Program Case Study

    Presented by Marshall Goldsmith, named one of the 50 greatest living business thinkers by the Times-London and author of 23 New York Times best-selling books, including What Got You Here Won't Get You There. Microsoft Presenters: Brian Underhill and Carol Hedley In this fast-paced, interactive session, Dr. Goldsmith will show why, as we become more successful, it can be more difficult to change. He will demonstrate how to use "what to stop" as a coaching tool as well as feedforward – a positive, focused tool for development and coaching. Marshall will share a proven model for coaching and change that is supported by research involving over 86,000 participants from around the world. Finally, participants will learn how to become better friends and family members – as well as leader and co-workers.

    Presenter

    MG

    Marshall Goldsmith

    • How to use “what to stop" in personal development and coaching
    • About feedforward – a positive, focused process for development
    • Dr. Goldsmith’s process for behavioral change, as well as the essentials of coaching direct reports, peers, and team members

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.As leaders become more successful, personal and professional change becomes more difficult.
    • 2.The 'what to stop' method is a powerful coaching tool for self-improvement and identifying hindering behaviors.
    • 3.Feedforward is a positive, future-focused tool for professional development that serves as an alternative to traditional feedback.
    • 4.A proven coaching model for behavioral change is supported by research involving over 86,000 participants worldwide.
    • 5.Leaders can improve effectiveness immediately by identifying and ceasing one behavior that no longer serves them.
    • 6.The principles of leadership development can be integrated into personal life to improve relationships with family and friends.

    The Paradox of Success

    For many leaders, the journey to success is paved with specific behaviors and skills that, ironically, can become roadblocks to future growth. This webinar, featuring renowned leadership expert Marshall Goldsmith, explores this paradox in detail. It explains why, as individuals become more successful, it can be increasingly difficult to adapt and change. The session provides a framework for understanding that the very attributes that propelled you to your current position may not be what you need to advance further.

    Key Tools for Continuous Improvement

    To break through this plateau, Dr. Goldsmith introduces two powerful and practical coaching tools designed for established leaders.

    What to Stop: Identifying Hindering Behaviors

    Instead of focusing on adding new skills, this method challenges leaders to identify and eliminate behaviors that are no longer effective. By focusing on "what to stop," leaders can make significant improvements in their effectiveness and how they are perceived by their teams. This tool is a cornerstone of self-awareness and intentional change.

    Feedforward: A Positive Approach to Development

    Marshall Goldsmith introduces 'feedforward' as a future-oriented alternative to traditional feedback. This positive, focused tool involves asking for suggestions for the future rather than dwelling on past mistakes. It helps create a psychologically safe environment for developmental conversations and encourages a culture of continuous improvement.

    A Research-Backed Model for Change

    The methodologies presented are not just theoretical. They are part of a proven model for coaching and behavioral change that has been validated by research involving over 86,000 participants from around the world. The webinar also features a case study from Microsoft's Exceptional Potential Coaching Program, presented by Brian Underhill and Carol Hedley, demonstrating the real-world application of these concepts.

    Application Beyond the Office

    A unique aspect of this session is its emphasis on holistic development. Participants will learn how the same principles used to become a better leader or co-worker can be applied to become a better friend and family member, fostering growth and stronger relationships in all areas of life.

    This session explores the paradox of success, where the very attributes that propelled leaders to their current positions can hinder future growth. It provides actionable strategies and a proven framework for continuous improvement, making its lessons on self-awareness and intentional change highly relevant for leaders navigating constant evolution.

    What you'll learn

    • Why increasing success can make personal and professional change more challenging.
    • How to effectively utilize "what to stop" as a powerful coaching and self-improvement tool.
    • The principles and application of feedforward, a positive, future-oriented approach to development.
    • A research-backed model for coaching and behavioral change, supported by extensive global participant data.
    • Methods to integrate leadership development into personal life for improved relationships with family and friends.

    Who this webinar is for

    This webinar is ideal for:

    • Experienced leaders and managers seeking to elevate their performance from good to great.
    • Individuals in coaching roles looking for evidence-based methodologies.
    • Organizational development professionals designing and implementing leadership programs.
    • Anyone interested in understanding the psychological barriers to change and personal growth.
    • Leaders at all levels committed to continuous learning and self-improvement.

    Why it matters now

    In today's rapidly changing environment, yesterday's successes do not guarantee tomorrow's relevance. Leaders must constantly adapt, unlearn, and relearn. The principles discussed, particularly the focus on identifying and addressing hindering behaviors and embracing positive feedback mechanisms like feedforward, are critical for maintaining agility and effectiveness. The insights from this recorded session remain vital for fostering a culture of continuous development and preventing complacency in successful individuals and organizations.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can immediately apply the concepts by:

    • Identifying one behavior to "stop" that is no longer serving their leadership or team effectiveness.
    • Implementing feedforward in their teams and one-on-one interactions, focusing on future potential rather than past mistakes.
    • Encouraging an environment where constructive feedback, particularly feedforward, is a normal part of developmental conversations.
    • Reflecting on their own leadership journey and actively seeking input on areas for growth, even when highly successful.
    • Integrating the concept of growth into personal interactions, becoming more effective and supportive in all relationships.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on Growth. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Marshall Goldsmith's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for systemic collaboration inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about Growth.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Topics

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.