Dr. Marshall Goldsmith on Triggers and How They Impact Behavior Change

We’ve got an absolute legend on the show today, although he’d never refer to himself that way. Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, world-renowned executive leadership coach, is here today to chat with me specifically about his 2015 book Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts — Becoming the Person You Want to Be, which turns 10 years old this year. In Triggers, Marshall writes that meaningful behavior change is very hard to do, and today he explains what a trigger is and how triggers can stop behavior change from happening. Triggers, by the way, can be direct or indirect, internal or external, conscious or unconscious, anticipated or unexpected, encouraging or discouraging, productive or counterproductive. We talk today about how to identify our triggers, the path of going from a trigger to a behavior, why knowing about our triggers is so important, and if we can change our triggers, or if they’re locked and loaded permanently. I spoke to Marshall soon after my father died, and we started talking about why becoming the person we want to be is such a noble pursuit. This conversation went in directions I wasn’t expecting but could not be happier that they did. Marshall Goldsmith, my friends, is a legend for a reason. He is first in class, top of the heap, the best of the best. So, who is Marshall Goldsmith? In case you don’t already know, Marshall is an academic and professor who held appointments at places like Dartmouth before he became a founding partner of the Marshall Goldsmith Group, an executive coaching group. Throughout Marshall’s renowned career, he’s worked with CEOs from over 200 companies and is credited with pioneering 360-degree feedback for leaders. He has written or edited 41 books which have sold over 2.5 million copies, been translated into 32 languages, and become bestsellers in 12 countries. Those books include, of course, Triggers, as well as What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and so many others. Triggers is one of his best-known works amongst a slew of well-known titles, and today Marshall also tells us about a new AI project he’s working on, and why he signs off his emails with the phrase “Life is good.” Lots to learn from this remarkable person. Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts — Becoming the Person You Want to Be by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith Make sure to check out marshallgoldsmith.ai!