Marshall Goldsmith: Before Speaking, Ask ‘Is It Worth It?’
In the book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, one of the classic challenges of successful leaders is identified as “adding too much value.” As an executive, this occurs when the potential value of your suggestion may be outweighed by the potential damage it could cause.
Our friend David Ulrich taught us that effective implementation is a function of the quality of the idea times the implementor’s commitment to make it work. The more ownership a person has for the idea, the more committed he or she is to making it work. When personal ownership of the idea goes down, commitment tends to go down with it.
When J-P Garnier was the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, I (MG) asked him, “What have you learned about leadership since becoming the CEO of this huge company?” He sighed, “My suggestions become orders. If they are smart, they are orders. If they are stupid, they are orders. When I want them to be orders, they are orders. When I don’t want them to be orders, they are orders anyway.”
When I asked J-P what the most important lesson he learned from me as his coach was, he said, “You taught me one lesson that has helped me become a better leader and have a happier life. Before speaking, ask myself one question: ‘Is it worth it?’ When I do this, about half the time I decide, ‘Am I right? Maybe. Is it worth it? No.’”
Visualize one of your direct reports. She is young, smart and incredibly committed. She comes to you with an idea. You think it is a great idea, and then your mind comes up with a series of suggestions that (you think) might make it even better. You start sharing your suggestions and notice that she is taking careful notes to make sure she gets all of the details right.
If you’re not careful, one major problem may occur. The quality of the idea may go up 5 percent. Her commitment to execute the idea may go down 50 percent. It is no longer her idea. It is now becoming your idea.
Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford, is one of the great leaders of this century. He had a wonderful discipline. Before speaking, he would ask, “Is anyone else in the company more qualified to provide ideas on this topic than I am?” If the answer was yes, he thought, “Why should I be speaking?”
As a CEO, it can get even worse. Not only will your less than optimal suggestions get implemented, they will be initiated with “the CEO said” at each level in the organization.
This lesson does not just apply at work. It also applies at home.
At work, before speaking, ask yourself, “Is my comment going to improve this person’s commitment?” If the answer is no, then ask, “Is it worth it?” Sometimes it is worth it. J-P did not say he never made suggestions. He did say that about half the time it wasn’t worth it.
At home, before speaking, ask yourself, “Is my comment going to improve my relationship with the person I love?” If the answer is no, then ask, “Is it worth it?” At home, if the comment you’re about to make will damage your relationship with a person you love, it is almost never worth it.
It only takes a few seconds to think, “Is it worth it?” before speaking. It can take a lot longer to recover from the damage caused by speaking when it was not worth it.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
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Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
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General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
