It’s that time of the year again when thoughts turn to how to get better at business.
Only on reality TV shows like The Apprentice will you hear business people claim to be the “complete package”. And of course, they turn out to be anything but.
The old business adage “grow or die” applies as much to people as it does to companies.
As often as not, business development relies on people development. The most important people to start with are of course ourselves.
Sadly, this is easier said than done. After all, many of us suffer from “optimism bias”.
That is to say, we tend to think that we are better than we actually are. What’s more, we all find change a huge challenge.
That’s why a staggering 92% of New Year’s resolutions will fail. It is also why so many talented business people find it hard to sustain success over the long term.
So, what’s the answer to getting better at business leadership?
Engage a great coach. An expert who holds up a mirror to the world of work and helps us to see what we are not doing right.
A psychologist who not only understands why we behave the way that we do. But also can show us exactly how we can change to become better, not only in business, but also in life.
Dr Marshall Goldsmith is one of the best coaches on the planet who has distilled years of wisdom into 3 fascinating books.
Here’s what we can learn from him on how to get better at business leadership.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
The key insight from this best seller is that the very attributes that made us successful in the first place often hold us back as our careers progress.
We learn to play to our strengths, but sometimes this becomes a major weakness.
Are you guilty of “winning too much”, “adding too much value” or “telling the world how smart you are”?
Or any of the other 17 common character flaws that even the best businesspeople suffer from?
Recognising yourself in the executives recounted in this book is the first step to becoming a “reformed character” and a better businessperson.
Mojo
Mojo is the positive spirit towards what we are doing now that starts from the inside and radiates to the outside.
It is that feeling of energy and dynamism that we experience when we “are on a roll” and anything seems possible. If we could bottle it and sell it, we would be successful beyond our wildest dreams.
Marshall Goldsmith defines what Mojo is, how to get it, keep it and get it back when you lose it.
Triggers
To err is human. But why do rational people sometimes behave irrationally? Often with fatal consequences in business.
The combination of the environment we find ourselves in and our beliefs can unexpectedly trigger negative behaviours. Sometimes we are not even aware of these negative behaviours.
However, Marshal Goldsmith skilfully illustrates how they undermine relationships. In so doing, they also prevent us from getting the business results that we are working towards.
Identifying what triggers us both negatively and positively can make the difference between success and failure.
Work on yourself to get better at business leadership
Of course, reading books – even ones as good as these – only gets you so far.
There is a huge gulf between “theory” and “practice” This is why each book challenges us to be accountable to ourselves and others.
Are you ready to make the first step that leads to positive change?
To find out more about Marshall Goldsmith go to his website or follow him on LinkedIn for regular blogs and videos.
In addition, you might find inspiration from secrets of success of 4 of Britain’s best businesspeople.
For more guidance on what it takes to succeed, please carry on reading articles in the business coaching section of our blog
