For Good

This past weekend, we celebrated Marshall Goldsmith's birthday, bringing together members of the 100 Coaches community and agency for an annual celebration. The 100 Coaches Agency is a very disbursed team so we all came together for the weekend, a great chance to connect with each other and various members. To kick off the festivities, we saw Wicked on Broadway one of Marshall's favorite Broadway shows. It is a particularly appropriate show because of one of the show's hits. The song "For Good" is a duet from the musical Wicked, sung by Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North) as a farewell. For Marshall, the song has become something of an anthem. As we lost ourselves in the expansive story, beautiful stage and powerful music, I couldn't help but reflect on how the fundamental idea behind everything we do is that leadership is truly a force for good. This weekend of gathering was a beautiful expression of that notion, and it led me to ponder three ways in which leadership can be a positive influence.

Leadership is about improving people's lives—not just those who work directly with us but also the entire ecosystem of individuals connected to our businesses. As leaders, we can create environments that foster growth, fulfillment, and well-being. By prioritizing our team members' and stakeholders' needs and aspirations, we can cultivate a culture that uplifts and inspires everyone involved while meeting our goals and ambitions. When we lead with compassion and a genuine desire to make a positive impact, we set the stage for others to thrive personally and professionally.

Leadership is about building community and bringing people together for a common purpose. As we gathered this weekend to celebrate Marshall's birthday, effective leaders recognize the importance of fostering a shared mission. By creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and mutual support, we strengthen the bonds that unite our teams and enable them to achieve great things together. By leading with a focus on community-building, we tap into our people's collective wisdom and energy, unlocking their full potential and driving meaningful change.

Leadership is about integrity and ethics in an increasingly complex world. As leaders, we have a responsibility to model the values and behaviors we wish to see in others. By consistently demonstrating honesty, transparency, and a commitment to doing what is right, we inspire trust and respect among those we lead. When faced with difficult decisions or challenging circumstances, leaders stand firm in their convictions and lead with moral clarity. In doing so, we navigate our organizations through turbulent times and contribute to shaping a more just and equitable society.

In life and leadership, we each have the extraordinary opportunity to be a force for good—to uplift and empower those we lead and love. As we reflect on the joyous celebration of Marshall's birthday and the camaraderie we created together this weekend, let’s remember that leadership is not just about achieving business objectives but about making a positive difference in the lives of others. By focusing on improving people's lives, building vibrant communities, and leading with integrity, we can create a ripple effect of goodness that extends far beyond our immediate sphere of influence. Lisa Earle McLeod McLeod calls this Noble Purpose. Hubert Joly calls it the Heart of Business. Marshall Goldsmith calls it An Earned Life. Whatever you call it, let’s strive to be the kind of leaders who leave the world a little better than we found it.

With love, gratitude and wonder,

Scott