The more successful we are, the more positive reinforcement we get, the more we fall into what I call in the book ‘superstition trap’.
CEOs live in a strange world where they get positive reinforcement all the time so it’s very difficult for any CEO not to believe that.
I was once working with the head of the US army in the New Generals School and the first thing he tells the new Generals is:
“Remember, as soon as you get those stars, everyone will laugh at your jokes, but you’re not that funny, and everyone will write down your comments but you’re not that smart, and women will want to have sex with you but you’re not that handsome. It’s just your title. Don’t let it go to your head”.
Those words are so wise.
They’re not saluting you, they’re saluting your stars and the second you think it’s all about you, its over.
You’ve to keep listening, you’ve to keep learning, you’ve to make mistakes and you’ve to apologise for them.
- Marshall Goldsmith
