Archive: Marshall Goldsmith
Show some care for the average fan
The difference in net worth between owners, players and the average person in this country is greater than it has ever been...
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 8, 2011; 10:20 AM ET | Comments (4)
There's no good strategy
The only question for such a leader is how much more do you value yourself and your hold on power than you value...
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 22, 2011; 10:32 AM ET | Comments (9)
The blessing and curse of social media
The bad news is that online social media can be used equally effectively to manipulate masses of people and cause huge problems...
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 8, 2011; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (2)
What the US and China share
I would encourage President Hu Jintao to focus on the areas of mutual interest to the U.S. and China--and there are many. For example, an expanding U.S. economy is ultimately good for...
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 17, 2011; 11:12 PM ET | Comments (6)
Another kick-the-can solution
If we ever plan to avoid excessive debt, either Republicans will have to demonstrate the courage to raise taxes or Democrats will have to demonstrate the courage to cut spending...
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 6, 2010; 03:04 PM ET | Comments (2)
Five ways to serve the people
Take responsibility: if your key stakeholders believe that you have made a mistake, you have made a mistake (either in strategy, communication or style). Avoid 'blaming' your stakeholders...
By Marshall Goldsmith | November 1, 2010; 03:18 PM ET | Comments (2)
Against big government? It's no surprise he's popular
While these may be 'traditionally' unpopular moves, they are clearly not unpopular in New Jersey (at least for now). Many Americans believe that their government is unnecessarily wasting taxpayer dollars. The average government employee is now making more than their counterpart in the...
By Marshall Goldsmith | October 11, 2010; 01:47 PM ET | Comments (7)
He'll figure it out
Would having a better outside image be a positive for Mark Zuckerberg? Of course. Good PR is always better than bad PR. On the other hand Mark has, at a very young age, figured out how to...
By Marshall Goldsmith | October 4, 2010; 02:31 PM ET | Comments (0)
Confusing leadership and values
I believe that this question confuses 'leadership' and 'values'. Different people can have different values and still demonstrate leadership. If Craig Newmark wants to take a stand and be a leader in the fight for free expression, free markets and an open internet...
By Marshall Goldsmith | September 7, 2010; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (0)
Heroes and villians have always been there
Great leaders, and terrible leaders have been with us throughout our history. Some things never change.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 28, 2010; 09:47 AM ET | Comments (0)
No such thing as 'too big to manage'
With 'big' comes 'challenging', but definitely not 'impossible'.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 20, 2010; 11:40 AM ET | Comments (0)
All about the benjamins
We are living in a period of great uncertainty. When business leaders feel that there is a good chance of a solid economic recovery, they will invest. We have been in business cycles before. This is not the 'end of the world'.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 5, 2010; 05:21 PM ET | Comments (11)
Ain't misbehavin'
Neither Israel or Turkey see themselves as "misbehaving." Both are behaving in a way that they feel is consistent with their own values
By Marshall Goldsmith | June 2, 2010; 04:46 PM ET | Comments (0)
Sufficient intellectual gifts
Every Justice does not have to have the same background.
By Marshall Goldsmith | May 11, 2010; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
Injecting his own vaccine
Jonas Salk injected himself with the polio vaccine to show the world that he truly believed it was safe. He lived his commitment.
By Marshall Goldsmith | April 20, 2010; 05:22 AM ET | Comments (0)
Has he been too rigid?
President Obama doesn't have the authority to tell other sovereign countries what they should -- or should not -- believe.
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 16, 2010; 05:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
Leave them alone!
We are all human beings and these "little vices" are not impacting their work.
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 3, 2010; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (0)
Being Sarah
I am not sure that she is - or should be - laying the foundation for a possible presidential candidacy.
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 8, 2010; 04:08 PM ET | Comments (5)
Chief coordinator
The best intended relief efforts can fall apart if countries and agencies do not communicate effectively and coordinate their contributions.
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 16, 2010; 05:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
Motivation from within
Leaders, recognize that the ultimate motivation for your employees and followers comes from inside them - not inside you.
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 5, 2010; 05:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Deeply held values
We may not be able to teach instinct, but we can definitely teach values.
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 29, 2009; 06:50 AM ET | Comments (0)
A question of motives
If you believe, as he claims, that his actions were largely motivated by his desire to do what is right (in the long-term) for our country - then he should be praised for being courageous and patriotic.
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 23, 2009; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (0)
Alan Mulally, Ford CEO
One of the main reasons Alan Mulally chose to lead Ford is that he loves our country - and believes the success of this historically important company is vital to the welfare of our nation.
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 15, 2009; 05:43 AM ET | Comments (1)
Consultants aren't leaders
When the outside consultant starts "calling the plays" for the team, the role has changed from "advisor" to "executive."
By Marshall Goldsmith | October 26, 2009; 03:03 PM ET | Comments (2)
Acting the Part
Like great Broadway actors, great leaders stay in role. This discipline is not part of being a phony, it is part of being a professional.
By Marshall Goldsmith | October 6, 2009; 06:25 AM ET | Comments (1)
Stabbed in the Back
One of the great weaknesses of the West (and our allies) in dealing with Ahmedinejad is our inability to execute a mutually agreed-upon, coordinated strategy.
By Marshall Goldsmith | September 28, 2009; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (1)
Aligning Rewards and Hopes
If newly minted MBA grads wanted to help the world achieve "long-term health," they would have become medical doctors! The reward system has to change first.
By Marshall Goldsmith | September 14, 2009; 03:09 PM ET | Comments (26)
Great In Retrospect
There have never been many "giants" in America's (or any country's) politics while they were alive.
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 31, 2009; 02:42 PM ET | Comments (0)
Keep On Plugging
All leaders can learn from his willingness to keep on working under difficult circumstances and to let go of his own "need to be right" in order to find meaningful compromise.
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 27, 2009; 11:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
Not a Dictatorship
Our president's role should not be to "punish" people who stand up for their own interests - or to threaten members of Congress.
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 18, 2009; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (1)
When Leaders Act Like Human Beings
When a leader admits to mistakes and reaches out to others for reconciliation, he or she makes it easier for others to just be human.
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 3, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (0)
Forgive More, Judge Less
The desire to 'punish' you predecessor can come back to haunt a leader. Who knows what decisions President Obama will have to make - that he may not want to discuss - to protect national security.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 14, 2009; 07:44 AM ET | Comments (29)
A Rational Resignation
While Sarah Palin's resignation may not facilitate her election as President of the United States, it may well be a good move for her personally.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 7, 2009; 11:59 AM ET | Comments (0)
Practical Zen
Simple Buddhist ideas like "let go of the past", "make peace with what you cannot change" and "be in the moment" are applicable to everything from athletics and business to life.
By Marshall Goldsmith | June 16, 2009; 11:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Pride Without Put-Downs
Leaders who share their personal history can "humanize" themselves, yet it is important to focus on what you learned from that background without "putting down" someone else who has had a different background.
By Marshall Goldsmith | June 8, 2009; 02:34 PM ET | Comments (1)
Hands Off? Not Likely
To pretend that a 60% owner of the business will be totally "hands off" is not credible. My suggestion is that the government be honest with both GM and the public on their planned for level of involvement.
By Marshall Goldsmith | June 1, 2009; 10:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Get a New Life
My guess that, in most cases, when a former incumbent puts down a successor the main motivation is ego - not altruism. Former leaders should "get a new life" and try to help the world be a better place.
By Marshall Goldsmith | May 11, 2009; 01:02 PM ET | Comments (0)
Radical Truth-Telling
My advice would be to forget about brinkmanship and other forms of game playing. Why not try acting like adults, telling the truth, making needed compromises and doing whatever can be done to keep the ship afloat?
By Marshall Goldsmith | May 4, 2009; 02:26 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tell the Truth
Efforts to "protect the public" seldom work anyway - and usually come back later to haunt the people who were withholding information.
By Marshall Goldsmith | April 27, 2009; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (0)
Judging the Results
Research shows clearly that leaders can become more effective through feedback and training - not as judged by themselves, but as judged by their direct reports and co-workers.
By Marshall Goldsmith | April 21, 2009; 06:01 AM ET | Comments (0)
Small, Refreshing Changes
Leaders of other countries are under no moral or legal obligation to do what we want. By gaining their commitment we will not get everything that we want - but we will get something!
By Marshall Goldsmith | April 6, 2009; 11:52 AM ET | Comments (1)
Every Right To Call the Shots
In essence, the Unites States government and the taxpayers now own General Motors - and have every right to call the shots. A CEO is never more powerful than an owner.
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 30, 2009; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (3)
Private Acts
If you are going to voluntarily take a pay cut, it might be even more impressive to do it privately -- instead of publicly.
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 15, 2009; 09:54 PM ET | Comments (0)
Get Congress Involved
Congress is going to have to approve whatever plan he suggests. Why not skip ahead and get them involved in the development of the plan?
By Marshall Goldsmith | March 2, 2009; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (0)
The High Road to Democracy
Democracy is about choosing to swallow one's pride for the team or continue to fight for a cause that one believes in.
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 23, 2009; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (0)
Losing the Way on "The River Kwai"
Sir Alec Guinness' character in the movie shows how leaders can become so obsessed with reaching their goal that they can lose their humanity along the way.
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 17, 2009; 10:07 AM ET | Comments (1)
Hiring Time
Eliminating a percentage of jobs across the board makes no business sense: some divisions may be growing. In fact, with so unemployed talent, it might be time to hire.
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 9, 2009; 09:16 AM ET | Comments (0)
Quasi-Government Employees
Bonus numbers that seemed "normal" just a few months ago may be viewed as "obscene" by new stakeholders today. It will take a while for bankers to realize they are now quasi-government employees.
By Marshall Goldsmith | February 2, 2009; 03:30 PM ET | Comments (16)
Realism Versus High Expectations
Although President Obama speaks to us realistically about our challenges, I worry his fans aren't hearing him -- while hoping he continues to speak candidly.
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 21, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (0)
Open Ears, Open Mind
He strives to see the value of differing opinions, and, if he keeps it up, such a leadership style would be a welcome change from the past eight years.
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 12, 2009; 11:10 AM ET | Comments (1)
So "Right," So Wrong
He did what he thought was right and stuck to that course of action -- to a fault.
By Marshall Goldsmith | January 5, 2009; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (3)
Columnist Tom Friedman
Rather than responding to issues in a canned 'liberal' or 'conservative' voice, he actually thinks!
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 30, 2008; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (17)
An Accepting Boss
Let's face it - we have all been a little naughty and Santa has still come through for us!
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 23, 2008; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (0)
Fight Other Battles
Obama should focus on the issues that are going to make the biggest difference to the the country, and this is not one of those issues.
By Marshall Goldsmith | December 15, 2008; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (1)
