We're all friends - sage advice from a mentor

I sat down to have lunch with Marshall Goldsmith today (08/27/2007) and it was great. I had e-mailed him some time ago asking if he had time to share a meal and a conversation. As Jodi and I are getting busier and busier with the coaching and consulting we're doing, I knew it was time to call on my team.

 

What spurred all of this, really, was a few months ago when he sent me a copy of his newest book, "What Got You Here, Won't Get You There." I've read this book, not cover to cover, several times. I open up to the middle, read a bit, and then go on with my work and my life. One of the sections that stands out to me brilliantly is on page 119. Think about how you work, how you get things done, and how you go about your day-to-day experiences. Do you make time to:

Clearly communicate a vision?
Treat people with respect?
Solicit contrary opinions?
Encourage other people's ideas?
Listen to other people in meetings?

There are quite a few other "do you make time to" questions I could ask. Suffice it to say, I am coming closer and closer to having an answer to the second prompt of the day (see below...).

For years I have been "preaching" team to anyone I meet, anyone I talk to. Today, I was inspired to find someone with a similar focus. His quote resonates in-between my ears: "We're all friends."

It was quite amazing, as we sat down and ordered our lunch. One of his first questions was, "Will you tell me a little about yourself? Where were you born?" He wanted the whole story! What was most amazing about this - for me - was that he was listening, actually taking in what I was saying, and like a master chess-player setting up the pieces in a way he understood.

Over the course of 90 minutes, I received some great advice and a few "kicks-in-the-seat-of-the-pants." I've got some ideas that are resonating in my mind...one of them:

"We're all friends."   

Honestly, I don't know that I have met someone who is so confident in himself that he can actually say he was "sitting here because of the people I know." Just hearing how Marshall Goldsmith gives information, materials, and ideas away has inspired me at a whole new level.

I am focusing my career, my job and my life toward making a contribution. Maybe I'm so interested in this because I'm a former high school teacher (I mean, who OWNS the information about who started World War I? So, who OWNS the information about how to prioritize, focus, and produce most efficiently and effectively at work?).

My contribution lies in bringing people information they need, when they need it, to "be" more of who they are while "doing" all of the requirements that keep that lifestyle going. Sure we all have choices, but how many times have you heard someone "complain" about the choices they obviously made. So, if things are not going to necessarily change for the better, that leaves me to change the way I do things...

I walked away with 4 specific areas of focus today. And, for anyone reading this I'll include the prompts that I need the most help with (so, if can impose, please let me know if you have any ideas! Just send me an e-mail directly!).

• Write More: Marshall said to write the book, my book. Writing articles is good, and keeping this blog going is a positive one I know. But, I am confident that with the right book, 150 or so pages of "Jason's thinking," we could really make a lot of progress...

• Clearly Define Our Brand: For years (ok, for all of my life!) I was able to say I worked "for" someone. Whether it was in a privately held organization or something as public as the educational system of California, I always lined up with someone else's philosophy. Now it's time to decide "what Jason stands for."

• Spend Time With Thought Leaders: Identify MORE people to have lunch with, share ideas with, send my articles to, and learn from. I know enough to know that I would not be here (I mean right HERE, typing this blog post) if it were not for some very, very special people in my life.

• Give It Away: Those of you reading this blog, please let your friends know to subscribe to receive regular updates. Taking some coaching from one of the best in the world, I'm going to start giving a lot more away; it's a great way to contribute, and give something in return for all the good fortune that has come my way.