Becoming Coachable: The Power of Gratitude in Executive Coaching for Leaders will Unlock Potential and Promote Growth

Gratitude is powerful—and its power extends far beyond what each of us gives or receives in any one moment. It has the potential to create real, lasting change in myriad ways. And one of the most moving ways gratitude can change lives is by wielding it in situations some would least expect. 

My dear friends Scott Osman , Jacquelyn Lane , and Marshall Goldsmith shed light on this very topic in their new book, Becoming Coachable: Unleashing the Power of Executive Coaching to Transform Your Leadership and Life. 

Scott, Jacquelyn, and Marshall call upon their combined century of experience in leadership and coaching to present some very important insights. It’s worth remembering here that the phrase “important insights” doesn’t always mean complex, or unattainable, or daunting. Often, it’s the simplest of revelations that eludes us all—and has the ability to make the most impact. 

One such revelation presented in Becoming Coachable, and one I’ve come to understand well in my years of knowing Marshall, is straightforward. It’s attainable. And boy, is it powerful. 

Here it is: 

In situations in which you may want to say anything but “thank you,” say it anyway. In fact, say it instead of what you would typically respond with. Before long, you’ll see how this gift of thanks comes back to you. 

Below is a short, amended excerpt from Becoming Coachable that details some of the ways in which a simple “thank you” can go a long way in fostering feelings of psychological safety in others, and creating a culture of support and goodwill within yourself. In practice, this insight has the potential to change you, and the world, for the better—one moving affirmation of gratitude at a time. 

I’d love to know: What’s one area of your life, work or otherwise, in which you could use the phrase “thank you” more? 

At some point during the executive coaching process, you will meet with each of your stakeholders and tell them about what behaviors or skills you are working on improving. By this time, they’ve already provided their feedback on what you’re doing well, and where you can improve. Here is what we believe you should say to each of your stakeholders, irrespective of whether you agree with the feedback or not: “Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to my coach and share your feedback. Your feedback can help me develop and become a more effective leader. I’m grateful for your support in my growth.”

That’s it. If we can commit to just saying thank you, it seals the experience and affirms goodwill. It also leaves the stakeholder more open to continuing dialogue in the future, if and when you need it.

During this process, sit quietly and take notes while the stakeholder talks. This is not the time to comment or push back against their ideas, nor should you promise to implement them. Instead, simply say you intend to consider all the good ideas you are hearing and do what you can to improve. Again, you will say thank you. Feedback is a gift, and your ability to feel heartfelt gratitude will greatly enhance your potential to extract what you need from it. As with all priceless gifts, thank you is the best and only appropriate response.

My challenge for you is to use "thank you" more. I would love to hear your stories.

Love + gratitude,

The Gratitude Files 🌱

Anxiety at Work podcast. Each week, my co-author and dear friend, Adrian Gostick, and I are grateful for the opportunity to talk to leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension & cultivate calm. 

Key Highlights: 📌

• Understanding Anxiety: Dive deep into the root causes of anxiety 🧠
• Empowerment: Shift from a victim mindset to one of empowerment 💪
• Daily Practices: Discover the transformative power of daily gratitude 🙏

Dr Tara Perry received a certification as a Rapid Transformational Therapy Therapist and is a Clinical Hypnotherapist & Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. She has served as a professor at UCLA’s Arthur Ashe Center and California’s Emperor’s College of Acupuncture. She is host of the Next Level Healing podcast. 🎧

Our Latest Work 🌱

I'm thrilled to introduce a project that reflects our passion and commitment to a great culture at work:

The Gratitude Habit, a 90-day guided journal curated by Adrian & Chester

This isn't merely a journal- it's a movement intended to fill our lives with heartfelt gratitude.

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When you pre-order 200+ copies of "The Gratitude Habit," you give your team a path to gratitude and an exclusive 30-minute conversation with Chester, who will share his insights on the heart of gratitude and its power to transform.

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✨ P.S. - The regular price is $22.95, but when you pre-order 200+ copies, you get a special rate of $15.00 per copy. Email christy@thecultureworks.com to take advantage of this exclusive offer and book your session with Chester Elton.

📚 Top of the Stack- Book Club 📚

Visit The Culture Works for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more to help you build an "all in" culture of gratitude.

Leading with Gratitude & Anxiety at Work  are sold at fine bookstores everywhere.