Determining Your Winning Strategy: Insights from "The Last Word on Power" by Tracy Goss

As an executive coach, I often encounter leaders striving to enhance their effectiveness and drive their organizations toward success. One of the most transformative books that I frequently recommend is "The Last Word on Power" by Tracy Goss. This seminal work provides profound insights into how leaders can redefine their approach to power and create winning strategies that propel them and their organizations to new heights.

Understanding Your Current Winning Strategy

Goss begins by challenging leaders to identify their existing "winning strategy." This is a set of behaviors, beliefs, tactics, and ways of being that have brought them success up to this point.?

While these strategies undoubtedly served them well in the past and could even be described as the foundation of their success up to this point in their lives, Goss argues that these strategies can become the very barriers that prevent further growth and transformation, taking them to new levels of success. As an executive coach, I encourage the people I work with to deeply explore and become present with their current winning strategy. Introspection is the first step toward recognizing what needs to change.

The Limits of Traditional Power

In her book, Goss explains that traditional power—rooted in control, predictability, and the ability to influence others—is inherently limited. This form of power can lead to a ceiling effect, where leaders find themselves unable to break through to the next level of impact and innovation. Instead, Goss advocates for a new kind of power, one that is characterized by the ability to reinvent oneself and one's organization continuously.

Embracing the Path of Transformation

To develop this new form of power, Goss introduces the concept of personal transformation. This is not just about incremental improvements or small adjustments but involves a fundamental shift in a way of being and how leaders see themselves and their roles. Transformation requires letting go of old paradigms and being open to entirely new ways of thinking and acting.

As an executive coach, I guide leaders through this transformative process. It involves:

1. Identifying Limiting Beliefs: Many leaders are held back by unconscious beliefs about what is possible. Uncovering and challenging these beliefs is crucial.

2. Creating a Compelling Vision: Transformation is fueled by a vision that is both compelling and inspiring. This vision should stretch beyond the immediate goals and tap into a larger purpose.

3. Taking Bold Actions: Transformation requires leaders to take bold, often uncomfortable actions. These actions demonstrate commitment to the new vision and begin to shift the organizational culture and its own way of being.

4. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The path of transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. Leaders must remain open to learning and adapting as they encounter new challenges and opportunities.

Case Study: A Real-World Example

One of my close friends and someone I coach, a CEO of a mid-sized tech company, exemplified this process. His winning strategy revolved around meticulous control and micromanagement. While this led to professional success in his career, it also stifled innovation and demotivated his team. Through our coaching sessions, he began identifying and challenging his limiting beliefs around control and success.

We worked together to create a new vision for his leadership—one that prioritized empowerment, trust, and collaboration. He started taking bold actions, such as delegating critical projects to his team and fostering a culture of open communication, and trust. Over time, this shift led to increased innovation, higher employee satisfaction, and substantial growth for the company.

Conclusion: Your Winning Strategy

Determining your winning strategy involves both introspection and action. By leveraging the insights from Tracy Goss's "The Last Word on Power," leaders can break free from the constraints of traditional power and embark on a path of continuous transformation. As an accredited executive coach and leader, I am committed to enabling others to achieve their potential.