Marshall Goldsmith Library: Acting Like A Professional or Acting Like a Phony?

Page 1 of 3

TALENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE

Acting Like A Professional or

Acting Like a Phony?
by Marshall Goldsmith

"It's the avenue, I'm taking you to, 42nd Street!"

The singers sing, the dancer's dance and the actors act. On
Broadway there is always something wonderful on stage. In many
ways, Broadway is the definition of "performance."

I am inspired by great theater. Every night, great performers pour

their hearts into each production. Some have headaches, some
have family problems, but it doesn't really matter. When it's show
time, they give it all they have. Although it might be the
thousandth time an actor has performed the part, it might be the
first time the customer sitting in the fourth row has seen the
production. To the true performer, every night is opening night.

Like great actors, inspirational leaders sometimes need to be

consummate performers. When they need to motivate and inspire
people, they do it. It doesn't matter if they have a headache.
They do whatever it takes to help their organization succeed.
When they need to be "on," like the Broadway stars, it's show
time.

One of the greatest leaders I know is Frances Hesselbein, the

former executive director of the Girl Scouts of America and now
chairman of the Leader to Leader Institute. I am not alone in my
assessment of her talents. Peter Drucker once noted that she was
perhaps the most effective executive he had ever met. As a
tribute to her leadership skills, President Clinton awarded Frances
with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award that
can be given to a U.S. civilian.

Frances is also one of my best friends. Like all humans, Frances

faces the same problems we all face. Just like you and I, she has
lived through health problems, tragedies with friends and family
issues. Like all great professionals, when it is time for Frances to

mhtml:file://C:\sig\bkup\desk\read\MarshalGoldsmith\Marshall Goldsmith Library Acting L... 6/6/2020

Marshall Goldsmith Library: Acting Like A Professional or Acting Like a Phony? Page 2 of 3

work, she is always there. I have seen her turn down an invitation
from the U.S. president to give a talk (at no fee) for a non-profit
organization in a small town. When she makes a commitment, if it
is humanly possible to be there, she delivers. It doesn't matter
that a "better deal" came along later. She not only makes an
appearance, she is up, she is positive, she is inspirational and she
gets the job done.

Until recently, I always had a dilemma. As an executive educator,

who helps successful leaders achieve a positive change in
behavior, I, in a way, teach people how to act. When is acting
part of being a professional? When is acting part of being a
phony? I want to help leaders learn how to be great performers,
but I never believe that they should be phonies or unreal. How
can I, as a coach, understand the difference?

My client Ted helped me answer this question. I worked with him

for a year, trying to help him fit in a corporate culture where he
really didn't belong. At the end of the year, I finally said, "Why
don't you leave? You are so miserable that you are starting to
depress me!"

He finally saw the light, left the company and is now doing
something he loves. There was nothing wrong with the company.
There was nothing wrong with Ted. He just didn't belong there. It
wasn't him.

If you are in the right job in the right company, and you are
learning how to perform to the best of your ability, you are being
a true professional. If you are in the wrong job in the wrong
company and you learn to act so that you can better fit in, you
are just being a better phony. It still isn't you out there.

Today Ted is a lot happier. He spends his time thinking up

creative ideas in his new company, and he's having a ball. He is
not only adding value for the company, he is also adding value for
the world.

Think about your job. As a professional, is your job consistent

with the person that you really want to be?

If the answer is "yes," be like the great actor. Be like Frances

Hesselbein. Put on a great show. Be the consummate
professional. Learn to keep developing your ability to perform, so
you can get even better than you are today. If you love what you
do, a great coach might even help you get better.

mhtml:file://C:\sig\bkup\desk\read\MarshalGoldsmith\Marshall Goldsmith Library Acting L... 6/6/2020

Marshall Goldsmith Library: Acting Like A Professional or Acting Like a Phony? Page 3 of 3

If the answer is "no," change jobs as soon as you can. Why

bother to become a better phony? Even if you do get a coach and
learn to modify your behavior, it won't count for much. Why? It
won't really be you.

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's 24 books include "What Got You

Here Won't Get You There" - a New York Times best-seller,
Wall Street Journal #1 business book and Harold Longman
Award winner for Business Book of the Year. His latest
book "Succession: Are You Ready?" - is the newest edition
to the Harvard Business 'Memo to the CEO' series. His
personal website,
http://www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com/, contains
hundreds of his articles and videos.

mhtml:file://C:\sig\bkup\desk\read\MarshalGoldsmith\Marshall Goldsmith Library Acting L... 6/6/2020