Week 23.16 First Step

This past weekend I spent the day with Marshall Goldsmith, Zachary Ames, and Mojdeh Pourmahram, the founders of the Forefront program. Forefront was their idea for a new Pay-It-Forward initiative from Marshall to reach people earlier in their coaching careers. As Marshall often does, he floats a vision and sees if anyone is interested in developing it. That is how he and I created 100 Coaches. Saturday was the final day of a year-long program of collaborative learning, community building, and cooperative flourishing. We spent the whole day together and then went out for dinner (and some for drinks afterward), and it was clear that the program had been an overwhelming success. Each of the individuals had grown enormously in their careers, as well as in their personal lives. What struck me as I observed and engaged with the group was how this extraordinary experience, like so many things in life, started with an idea, the ability to gather friends in support, and the faith to let the program go where it needs to go.

While there was undoubtedly a template of sorts with the 100 Coaches Community, what Marshall, Zach, and Mojdeh did with the Forefront community was decidedly different. The point is not what they did but instead that they did it. They did not know where the program would end up or how they would get there. They had no funding. They had an idea of where they wanted to go, how they would try to get there, and a willingness to start. And they had each other, although they had not even met before they each volunteered. They did not delay by trying to get it right. They just got started and learned along the way. 

And they did not try to do it all themselves. They embraced the spirit of collaboration and goodwill by creating a volunteer community, opening the doors to anyone willing and interested in supporting. First in line was Bill Carrier, executive director of the 100 Coaches Community, who supported them in countless ways as a thinking partner, a bridge-builder, and an overall support system. Jane Kosstrin and the team at Doublespace helped them get online. Zach and Mojdeh carried the load, but many people were excited to help them get started. And once they got up and running, there were many outstanding individual contributors from the 100 Coaches Community willing to step up and mentor and support the advancement of the ForeFront program members. Most notably, Ron Carucci stepped up in a fundamental leadership role and provided program guidance and substantial support at crucial moments, elevating the program in visible and invisible ways. Dean Miles, Mort Aaronson, Michelle Johnston, Ayse Birsel, and many others generously (and unsurprisingly) stepped up in support.

Finally, they led the program with a light touch and let it go where it needed to go. They had a plan but were not bolted to the plan; they remained nimble the entire time. When they were offered opportunities, they took them. When people volunteered to expand the scope and create options for program members, Zach and Mojdeh graciously accepted the support. They provided a model of outstanding leadership by exhibiting our most cherished qualities - setting the vision and supporting the team. This initiative was even more special because of the richness of teamwork and collaboration. In the best Tom Sawyer fashion, they convinced an army of people that helping the Forefont members would be a fun and enriching experience and, in so doing, made it so. They were never asking for help. They were offering opportunities for extending community and showing generosity.

I marvel at how everything we create starts with someone having an idea and being brave enough to get started. The Forefront program is an excellent example of how taking the first step is sometimes the only way to begin a journey. Our planning ability is more tenuous than ever in an increasingly complex world. And sometimes, the best things in life happen because the plan is more "flexible." Most importantly, in life and leadership, we often benefit the most by creating the space for others to bring their talents and contributions to make our work even bigger and more expansive. Finally, the collaborative experience brings us closer together in a community that is in ever-scarce supply. I was grateful to be able to contribute and applaud the founders' efforts for their boldness and leadership by taking the first step.

As I Mourn the Passing of My Wife, These Leadership Lessons Stand Out the Most by Mike Maddock

On August 19th, 2022, my adventure with Ruthie ended. She danced into heaven after an inspiring and incredibly graceful exit from this world. Her humbling journey taught me some valuable lessons that will impact how I see life -- and business -- going forward. These are some of those lessons. 1) Today, I notice how leaders of purpose focus on others and not themselves. 2) Today, I notice how the most innovative leaders all share the same superhero power: gratitude. 3) Today, I will argue that the most balanced entrepreneurs have a coach, a single-page strategy document, and, most importantly: a forum. 4) Today, I understand that life happens in moments. I try not to let fear or anxiety rob me of the precious moments I have been granted. 5) Now, more than ever, I understand that we all get victimized, but great leaders refuse to play the role of a victim. 6) Today, I notice that the best leaders don't ask if they can help; they just dive in and do something. 7) Today, I notice that my favorite leaders are graceful with themselves and others. And I see that their grace is empowered by their faith. The greatest lesson I learned from Ruthie's passing is prioritization. My hope is that this article inspires people to tell someone -- tell everyone -- that you love them. After all, love is the greatest purpose of all. And in the end, it's really all that matters.

Do You Have Fear of Failure? by Tom Kolditz

Is the fear of failure holding you back? Failure can be unwanted and uncomfortable. But ultimately, it’s necessary for success. If fear of making a mistake holds you back from attempting challenging things or doing hard jobs, you will plateau in your career and life. However, if you understand your fears more, you can overcome them. One of the best ways to get over your fear of failure is to stop hiding your failures. Few people want to admit their failures to others. The tendency is to sweep them under the carpet or, even worse, blame those failings on others. If you want to overcome your fear of failure, you will need to first need to admit it to yourself. Then admit it to others. You may think the people around you are more courageous or have never made a mistake, but that’s not the case. We have all failed at something. So find a colleague you trust in order to share your failures, reflect on them, and learn from them. By sharing your failures and learning from their failures, you can grow.

Do You Get To Your Point Quickly? by Bruce Kasanoff

LinkedIn is a great place to observe the dos and don’ts of getting to the point quickly. My rule of thumb is that each article should have just ONE point…but when you browse through a random assortment of articles, you will find that many—perhaps most—people make countless points in the same article.

For example, an article on employee compensation will veer toward interviewing techniques, touch upon a recent vacation the author took in Sweden, and close with the suggestion that your computer may need to be rebooted more often.

The next time you walk into your boss’s office, meet with a prospective client, or interview for a job, try this:

1. Before you begin, set one objective for the meeting.

2. Decide in advance on a maximum of three points you wish to make.

3. Everything you say and do should focus on achieving your one objective—and getting across no more than three points.

4. Don’t forget to listen, because the other person may already agree with you. Only bad salespeople keep selling after the client says “yes.”

With love, gratitude and wonder

Scott