Achievement alone doesn’t make you happy

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Happiness is not contingent upon achievement; they function independently. Many tend to chase success with the belief that once they reach certain milestones, they will finally feel content. This can lead to a relentless pursuit akin to the Buddhist concept of the 'hungry ghost', where one is constantly seeking satisfaction but never quite achieves it. It is essential to recognize that even substantial accomplishments, such as those achieved by highly successful individuals, do not guarantee happiness. This highlights a critical insight for achievers: the focus should shift from the notion of 'I will be happy when' to understanding that personal fulfillment doesn't automatically arise from accolades or successes. Instead of relying solely on achievements for a sense of fulfillment, it's vital to cultivate happiness independently from these milestones.

About the Guest:

Marshall Goldsmith is the world-renowned leadership thinker and executive coach recognized as the only two-time Thinkers 50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the world. Over a celebrated career spanning decades, he has guided over 150 major CEOs and their management teams to reach new heights of effectiveness. Marshall has authored 56 books, including acclaimed titles such as "What Got You Here Won't Get You There," "Mojo," "Triggers," and "The Earned Life," selling over 3 million copies. He is currently pioneering MarshallGoldsmith AI, an initiative aimed at democratizing leadership learning through AI technology, a venture started even before the advent of ChatGPT.

Episode Summary:

Greg engages in a profound and insightful conversation with the world-renowned executive coach, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith. The dialogue navigates through themes of leadership, self-forgiveness, the pursuit of happiness, and embracing human imperfections. Marshall shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading figure in executive coaching, highlighting the importance of philosophical teachings from Buddhism in shaping his approach to life and coaching.

Key Takeaways:

Courage, Humility, and Discipline: Successful leaders require these three qualities to enact meaningful change in their behavior.

Daily Self-Assessment: Regularly asking oneself, "Did I do my best to…" can significantly improve personal and professional development.

Impact of AI on Leadership: Marshall Goldsmith AI aims to make leadership training accessible globally, leveraging the latest in AI technology.

Prioritizing Relationships: Improving team dynamics starts with individuals seeking betterment within themselves.

Managing Overcommitment: Leaders often fall into the trap of believing things will calm down in the future, which can hinder immediate action on what truly matters.

Notable Quotes:

“Winners love winning. My whole coaching is not fixing losers. I’m in the helping winners business.”

“If I have a coach, I’ve had someone call me on the phone almost every day for 27 years to try to help me.”

“I thought when I got older, worrying about my health would be less important...actually it's sort of more important.”

“Everyone I coach gets confidential feedback, picks important areas to improve, apologizes, and does rigorous follow-up.”

“If you get rid of the mistakes you made, you get rid of everything you learned from the mistakes.”

Resources:

MarshallGoldsmith AI

Books by Marshall Goldsmith:

"What Got You Here Won't Get You There"

"Triggers"

"The Earned Life"