Presenter
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.Hardworking and intelligent executives are often held back from reaching the pinnacle by subtle 'transactional flaws'.
- 2.Small interactional habits, like not saying 'thank you' enough, can create negative perceptions that halt career growth.
- 3.According to Marshall Goldsmith, it is surprisingly easy to change the subtle behaviors that may be holding you back.
- 4.Peer coaching and executive coaching are effective tools for identifying and implementing behavioral changes.
- 5.Leaders can apply these principles by seeking feedback, focusing on one or two behaviors, and practicing humility.
- 6.The skills that brought a leader to their current level may not be what's needed to get to the next one.
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The Challenge: Climbing the Final Rungs
Many talented executives, after years of hard work to reach senior management, find their ascent stalling. They are intelligent and charismatic, yet only a few will reach the absolute pinnacle of leadership. Renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith explains that the skills and behaviors that led to their current success are often not the ones required to take the next step. Reaching the top requires a different, more nuanced approach.
The Small Flaws with Big Impact
Goldsmith identifies the roadblocks as subtle, near-invisible "transactional flaws." These are not major professional shortcomings but small, negative behaviors in day-to-day interactions that can undermine a leader's influence and perception. Examples include:
- Failing to say "thank you"
- Not actively listening
- Being overly critical
- Failing to acknowledge the contributions of others
These minor habits, when repeated, create negative perceptions that can permanently hold an executive back from the highest echelons of leadership.
The Path Forward: Coaching for Behavioral Change
This session offers a straightforward, jargon-free methodology to enact positive behavioral change. The key is not a complete personality overhaul but a targeted effort to identify and correct these specific flaws. Leaders can apply these principles by:
- Self-Assessment: Honestly evaluating daily interactions for potential transactional flaws.
- Seeking Feedback: Actively soliciting constructive feedback from peers, direct reports, and superiors to gain awareness of behavioral blind spots.
- Targeted Development: Focusing on modifying one or two specific behaviors at a time for greater impact.
- Utilizing Coaching: Engaging in peer or executive coaching to gain structured support, accountability, and an objective perspective on behavioral change.
By acknowledging that continuous improvement is necessary regardless of past success, leaders can successfully make the behavioral shifts required for continued advancement. '''
This session, featuring renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, delves into the critical behavioral shifts required for leaders to ascend to the highest echelons of management. It dissects how subtle "transactional flaws" often impede otherwise talented and hardworking executives, offering practical strategies to identify and rectify these habits for sustained career advancement.
What you'll learn
- Identify common behavioral roadblocks that prevent high-achievers from reaching the top.
- Understand the concept of "transactional flaws" and their impact on professional perception.
- Discover practical, jargon-free methods for enacting positive behavioral change.
- Learn how peer and executive coaching can be instrumental in personal and professional transformation.
- Gain insights into maintaining continuous growth even after achieving significant career milestones.
Who this webinar is for
- Executives and senior managers aiming for C-suite roles.
- Mid-career professionals looking to accelerate their leadership trajectory.
- HR and Organizational Development professionals seeking effective coaching methodologies.
- Individuals committed to personal growth and behavioral improvement.
- Leaders interested in understanding the subtle dynamics of interpersonal influence.
Why it matters now
In a rapidly evolving corporate landscape, the ability to adapt and refine one's leadership style is more crucial than ever. While foundational skills are essential, the distinction between good and exceptional often lies in behavioral nuances. This content remains relevant because the core human interactions and perceptions that drive career progression endure, making the insights into overcoming subtle flaws timeless for aspiring and current senior leaders.
How leaders can apply this
Leaders can apply Marshall Goldsmith's principles by:
- Self-Assessment: Honestly evaluating their own daily interactions for potential "transactional flaws," such as not actively listening, failing to acknowledge others, or being overly critical.
- Seeking Feedback: Actively soliciting constructive feedback from peers, direct reports, and superiors to gain awareness of blind spots.
- Targeted Development: Focusing on one or two specific behaviors to modify at a time, rather than attempting a complete overhaul.
- Utilizing Coaching: Engaging in peer coaching or seeking an executive coach to provide structured support, accountability, and objective perspectives on behavioral change efforts.
- Practicing Humility: Acknowledging that continuous improvement is necessary, regardless of past successes, and being open to new ways of interacting and leading.
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.
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