Behavior Quote by Marshall Goldsmith
“To help others develop, start with yourself! When the boss acts like a little god and tells everyone else they need to improve, that behavior can be copied at every level of management. Every level then points out how the level below it needs to change. The end result: No one gets much better.”
About This Quote
Source Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, 2007
Self‑improvement must start with personal accountability; leaders who blame others create a cascade of blame that stalls real development.
In simple terms: Improve yourself before trying to improve others.
Key Takeaway
Lead by example, not by demanding.
Themes
leadership
self‑development
accountability
organizational culture
Mood
motivational
pragmatic
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- performance reviews
- coaching sessions
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral change
management theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal habit will you change first?
- How can you model growth for your team?
A Different Perspective
Changing personal behavior is hard and may meet resistance.
