Top 10 Takeaways from “Coaching for Leadership: Writings on Leadership from the World’s Greatest Coaches” By Marshall Goldsmith
1. Leadership is about influence, not authority
2. The best leaders serve others
3. Great leaders create a shared vision
4. Leaders inspire trust
5. Leaders create a positive environment
6. Leaders are always learning
7. Leaders are able to make tough decisions
8. Leaders are accountable for their actions
9. Leaders are humble
10. Leaders are passionate about their work
Lesson 1: Leadership is about influence, not authority
Leadership is not about having a title or position of power. It is about the ability to influence others and get them to follow your lead.
Effective leaders understand that they need to earn the respect and trust of their followers. They do this by demonstrating their competence, integrity, and commitment to the team.
Leaders who rely on their authority to get things done are often met with resistance and resentment. This is because people are more likely to follow someone they respect and trust than someone they fear.
If you want to be a successful leader, you need to focus on building relationships and earning the trust of your followers. When you do this, you will be able to influence them to achieve your goals.
Lesson 1: Leadership is about influence, not authority
Leadership is not about having a title or position of power. It is about the ability to influence others and get them to follow you.
Great leaders are able to build relationships of trust and respect with their followers. They are able to inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals.
Leaders who rely on their authority to get things done are often ineffective. People will only follow them out of fear or obligation.
True leaders are able to inspire others to follow them because they are passionate about their vision and they are able to articulate that vision in a way that others can understand and get excited about.
If you want to be a successful leader, you need to focus on building relationships of trust and respect with your followers. You need to be able to inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals.
Leadership is not about power. It is about influence.
Lesson 4: Leaders inspire trust
Trust is essential for leadership. When people trust their leaders, they are more likely to follow them, be motivated by them, and believe in their vision. Leaders can inspire trust by being honest, ethical, and transparent. They can also build trust by showing respect for others, listening to their concerns, and valuing their opinions.
When leaders inspire trust, they create a positive environment where people feel safe to take risks and try new things. They also create a sense of community and belonging, which helps to motivate people and improve their performance.
Trust is a key ingredient for successful leadership. When leaders inspire trust, they can achieve great things.
Lesson 5: Leaders create a positive environment
Leaders create a positive environment by being positive themselves, by encouraging others, and by creating a sense of community. When leaders are positive, it sets the tone for the entire organization. Employees are more likely to be productive and engaged when they work in a positive environment. Leaders can create a positive environment by:
- Being positive themselves
- Encouraging others
- Creating a sense of community
Lesson 6: Leaders are always learning
One of the most important qualities of a great leader is the ability to learn and grow. The world is constantly changing, and leaders need to be able to adapt and change with it. This means being open to new ideas, being willing to admit when you’re wrong, and constantly seeking out new ways to improve your skills and knowledge.
Leaders who are always learning are more likely to be successful in the long run. They’re more likely to make good decisions, they’re more likely to be able to solve problems, and they’re more likely to inspire others. If you want to be a great leader, you need to make a commitment to lifelong learning.
Here are some tips for how to become a lifelong learner:
- Read books, articles, and blogs about leadership and business.
- Take online courses or attend workshops on leadership.
- Network with other leaders and learn from their experiences.
- Seek out opportunities to give presentations or teach others.
- Reflect on your own experiences and learn from your mistakes.
By making a commitment to lifelong learning, you can become a better leader and achieve greater success in your career.
Lesson 7: Leaders are able to make tough decisions
One of the most important qualities of a good leader is the ability to make tough decisions. This means being able to weigh the pros and cons of each decision, and choosing the option that is best for the organization. It also means being able to stand by your decisions, even when they are unpopular.
Leaders who are able to make tough decisions are often seen as more competent and trustworthy by their followers. This is because they show that they are willing to do what is best for the organization, even if it is not the easiest or most popular decision.
Making tough decisions can be difficult, but it is an essential part of leadership. Leaders who are able to do this effectively will be more successful in their roles.
Here are some tips for making tough decisions:
- Gather all of the relevant information.
- Identify the pros and cons of each decision.
- Consider the impact of each decision on the organization.
- Make a decision and stick to it.
Making tough decisions is not easy, but it is an essential part of leadership. Leaders who are able to do this effectively will be more successful in their roles.
Leaders are accountable for their actions
Leaders are accountable for their own actions and the actions of their team. They set a good example by doing what they say they are going to do and by holding themselves and others accountable. Leaders also create a culture of accountability by rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior.
Leaders are responsible for the outcomes of their decisions and actions. They need to be able to take responsibility for their mistakes and learn from them. They also need to be able to hold others accountable for their actions. When leaders are accountable, it creates a culture of trust and respect.