Week 24.18 The Future Calling

This is the week I got the call from Marshall. He asked if I would be interested in helping him with a workshop to teach 15 people everything he knows about coaching. Little did I know that this single conversation would catalyze an incredible growth, collaboration, and transformation journey. Since that day, we have created a thriving community, a successful agency, and a book imprint while looking ahead to what's next. As I reflect on this anniversary, I am struck by how each new iteration of 100 Coaches contained the DNA of that original idea – a commitment to paying it forward, helping great leaders become more impactful, and gathering the best talent. Each stage of our journey has been a metamorphosis, a transformation of who we are into something greater. Our organization has adapted to changing circumstances while remaining true to our core values. This experience has led me to reflect on how leadership is a continuous process of transformation, requiring leaders to adapt to shifting times, evolving organizations, and their own personal growth.

Change presents an opportunity for growth. We recognize that the leadership landscape is fluid, and to stay relevant and impactful, we adapt and innovate. Leaders who approach change with curiosity, flexibility, and a growth mindset are better equipped to identify new opportunities, innovate, and lead their teams to success. Those who view change as a threat or an inconvenience often struggle to navigate the complexities of today's new reality. Senior talent must challenge assumptions, explore new ideas, and take calculated risks to pursue a more excellent vision. As these leaders embrace the liminal space and think creatively about their development, a ripple effect?is created that?extends beyond the individual and positively impacts their teams, organizations, and the broader business community.

Leadership necessitates metamorphosis, the willingness to let go of old ways of thinking and doing. Just as a butterfly must shed its cocoon to take flight, leaders must be willing to release outdated strategies, practices, and mindsets that no longer serve them or their organizations. This process can be uncomfortable and painful, but it is essential for growth and transformation. By celebrating the opportunity to shed the past, leaders open themselves up to new possibilities and the chance to soar to new heights. This willingness to let go and adapt is the hallmark of a truly transformative leader ready to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving world head-on.

Leadership requires a deep commitment to self-awareness and personal development. As leaders navigate change and guide their organizations through transformation, they examine their strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. Introspection allows them to identify areas for growth, build new skills, and develop the emotional intelligence necessary to inspire and empower others. Modeling a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement creates a culture that values growth and encourages others to embrace their fullness.

In life and leadership, change is constant. By embracing change and viewing it as an opportunity for growth and transformation, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise with grace and resilience. We are proud of the work of the 100 Coaches community and agency, born from Marshall's inspiration and guided by his wisdom. We are excited about the future in general and our work in particular, committed to our role in helping leaders unlock their full potential. For those we love and lead, we remain steadfast in providing curated access to the highest quality coaches and fostering a community of lifelong learners and leaders making a difference in the world.

My dear friend and daily questions partner Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel led the famous Design the Life You Love workshop which inspired Marshall Goldsmith to call me eight years ago. The drawings in this newsletter are taken from the archive of inspiration of her jots of life that inspire me daily. A workshop given, a call taken, we never know what the future will bring, but we can be sure it is calling.

With love, gratitude and wonder.

Scott

Modern Achievement by Asheesh Advani and Marshall Goldsmith

Today’s aspiring leaders are redefining achievement. They understand achievement as a process for individual empowerment—discovering who they are, where they want to go, and how they want to change themselves and the world around them. That world is more global, decentralized, dynamic, and diverse than ever before. Rather than just setting goals for achievement, today’s graduates are focusing on the process of achieving goals, resetting and pivoting to face new realities, and finding happiness in the journey.

In Modern Achievement, JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani and celebrated leadership expert Marshall Goldsmith (What Got You Here Won’t Get You There) offer thirty actionable lessons for personal and career success. Each lesson is part of an innovative Fixed-Flexible-Freestyle leadership framework that helped Advani to lead JA Worldwide and propel the organization to annual recognition as one of the top 10 NGOs in the world. preorder here

Leadership Wisdom: Perceived Importance vs Impact by Terry Jackson, Ph.D.

Aesop's fable of the Gnat and the Bull transcends its ancient origins to deliver a timeless message about the nature of self-importance and the value of humility within the complex web of human interactions and societal dynamics. By juxtaposing the gnat's inflated perception of its significance with the bull's indifferent awareness, the fable masterfully illustrates the often-overlooked disparity between how we view our impact on the world and how we are actually perceived by others. This narrative not only serves as a critical reflection on personal humility but also as a guiding principle for leadership and community engagement. It reminds us that true influence and significance are not measured by the loudness of our presence but by the depth of our understanding and the authenticity of our contributions to the larger tapestry of society. As we navigate the myriad roles we play in the lives of others, embracing the lessons of the Gnat and the Bull can lead us to a more balanced and impactful existence, where humility paves the way for genuine connections and meaningful interactions.

DESIGN CONNECTIONS > BREAKING-UP by Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel

Love is found, and friendships are made. If friendships are made, you can manufacture them. Think about it as an equation:

Share place + shared time + shared interests = Friendship Factories

Once you have this simple but profound equation, you can intentionally combine these three elements—shared place, interests, and time—to design connections.

1. Look for places: Cinemas, cafes, museums, nature, classes, gyms, clubs.?Offices, conferences, workshops, seminars, meetings, and retreats. These are your Friendship Factories.

2. Remember your interests. Dancing, watching movies, reading books, walking your dog, quilting, working out, writing, racing, and cooking. Philosophy, science, coaching, mindfulness, design, art, finance, accounting, and marketing—add your specialty here. Each one has the potential to be a shared interest.

3. Schedule time. Sign up for a class, a conference, or a talk. Join a club, a committee, a team. Buy a ticket. Mark your calendar. This is how you create shared time.

These are conditions for making connections.