Modern Achievement Book Summary - Modern Achievement Book explained in key points

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Modern Achievement summary

Name: Modern Achievement
Author: Asheesh Advani, Marshall Goldsmith

Asheesh Advani, Marshall Goldsmith

A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders

Brief summary

Modern Achievement by Asheesh Advani and Marshall Goldsmith guides readers on mastering personal and professional success. It presents actionable advice and strategies for continuous improvement, resilience, and achieving goals in today's dynamic world.

Topics

Career Progress Success Time Management Self-Help Leadership

Table of Contents

Modern Achievement
Summary of 7 key ideas

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What’s in it for me? Gain a fresh lens on leadership.

Are you ready to redefine success? Modern leadership isn’t just about reaching your goals – it’s about valuing the journey that gets you there. If you find yourself driven by a fierce entrepreneurial spirit, committed to doing things your own way, and energized by collaboration, you might just be a modern achiever.

Think about it: Do you believe in the potential of empowerment – socially, personally, and professionally? Are you intrigued by the concept of a portfolio career, where your talents aren’t confined to a single role but are spread across multiple passions? And above all, do you prioritize kindness, empathy, and self-care as essential components of sustainable success?

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. The landscape of leadership is evolving, blending timeless lessons from the past with innovative approaches that meet the demands of today. The challenge lies in reconciling these two worlds – honoring the wisdom of traditional leadership while daring to forge a new path forward.

In this Blink, we explore how modern leadership can empower you to achieve your goals in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. Let’s embark on this journey together – because the future of success is yours to shape.

Learn the three Fs: fixed, flexible, freestyle

Every modern leader needs to know the three Fs – and no, that’s not some obscure leadership jargon! The Fixed-Flexible-Freestyle (FFF) framework is a powerful, human-centered approach to achieving success in our fast-paced and unpredictable world. It’s designed to help you navigate the complexities of modern leadership by providing a flexible toolkit for learning, growing, pivoting, and collaborating effectively.

So, what’s the deal with the three Fs?

The FFF framework is all about finding balance. First, there’s Fixed, which represents the timeless principles and core values that guide us. Think of these as the non-negotiables in your leadership playbook – the wisdom passed down from leaders of the past that still holds true today. These fixed elements keep you grounded, providing a stable foundation as you explore new ways of leading.

Next up is Flexible. This focuses on adapting and evolving. In a world that’s constantly changing, the ability to think differently and adjust your strategies is crucial. Flexibility allows you to respond to new challenges, revise your thinking, and discover innovative solutions. It’s about staying open to change while still being anchored by your core principles.

Finally, there’s Freestyle. This is where you get to shine by harnessing your unique strengths and talents. Freestyle is all about personal empowerment – finding and amplifying what makes you, you. It’s where innovation happens, and where your individual contributions can make a big difference.

Let’s take an example: Imagine a small tech startup that’s rapidly growing but struggling to maintain its culture and vision. The CEO decides to adopt the FFF framework. They start by defining the company’s fixed principles – customer-first focus, integrity, and innovation. These become the guiding lights for every decision. Then, they implement flexible strategies, like remote work policies and agile project management, to adapt to the changing demands of the industry. Finally, the CEO encourages freestyle by empowering employees to pursue passion projects that align with the company’s goals, fostering creativity and personal growth.

By embracing the FFF framework, this startup not only navigates the challenges of rapid growth but also creates a dynamic, resilient culture that thrives on both stability and innovation. It’s a powerful reminder that modern leadership isn’t about following a rigid path – it’s about mastering the art of balance and adaptability.

In the sections ahead, we’ll delve deeper into each aspect of the FFF framework.

Fixed lesson: Exceptional achievement requires exceptional effort

Meritocracy isn’t dead – though it’s certainly a concept that’s often misunderstood and misapplied. Take, for example, the glaring disparities in elite institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. These schools should embody meritocracy, yet they enroll more students from the top 1 percent of family income than from the bottom 60 percent. This highlights the biases and structural inequalities that can skew the playing field. But despite these flaws, the core idea of meritocracy remains relevant, especially within modern leadership.

At its heart, meritocracy is about recognizing that exceptional achievement requires exceptional effort. It’s a fixed leadership truth that transcends time and circumstances. Regardless of whether you’re born into privilege or poverty, this truth holds; your background may influence your starting point, but it’s your relentless commitment to excellence that determines how far you can go.

Fixed lesson: Keep your burn rate low

What does success really look like? Is it the high-powered financial analyst with a six-figure salary, or the trainee making a fraction of that? The answer might surprise you – it all depends on something called your “personal burn rate.”

So, what’s a burn rate? In personal finance, it’s the amount of money you need each month to cover your fixed expenses and maintain your lifestyle. It’s your financial baseline – the minimum you need to keep your life running smoothly.

Flexible lesson: Make decisions authentically

Flexibility in decision-making is often misunderstood as being indecisive or lacking commitment. But in reality, you can be both flexible and decisive, and it’s this balance that’s crucial for modern leadership. How do you maintain this balance between taking firm action and staying open to new possibilities? It’s all about blending flexibility with self-compassion.

Traditional decision-making often involves a straightforward pros-and-cons list, where the option with the highest score wins. But what happens when your heart and head are pulling you in different directions? This is where weighting comes in. Your head might tally up the points, but your heart knows which aspects carry more weight. For example, a business leader might face a choice between a stable, high-paying job offer and the chance to join a startup with a mission they’re passionate about. On paper, the stable job might score higher, but if the startup aligns more closely with their values, that weight could tip the scales.

Flexible lesson: Think “and” not “or”

Do you want to prioritize professional success or family experiences? Financial gain or meaningful work?

Hold on – if you’re asking yourself these questions, you might be limiting your own possibilities. The words we use often shape our choices before we even make them. But what if you replaced “or” with “and”? Suddenly, the decision isn’t about sacrifice, but about balance. You can pursue professional success and enjoy family happiness, achieve financial gain and do meaningful work. The simple shift from “or” to “and” opens up new pathways to fulfillment.

Freestyle lesson: Embrace inexperience

In today’s world, success isn’t about following a straight path or achieving a singular goal. Modern achievement is more about embracing an evolving, non-linear approach to your career and life. This means accepting that, no matter where you are in your professional journey, you’ll often find yourself in situations where you feel like a beginner – clueless, even. Fear of seeming inexperienced can hold you back from trying new things, but here’s the truth: inexperience can be one of your greatest assets.

One of the key benefits of embracing inexperience is cultivating a “beginner’s mind.” This mindset keeps you open to new ideas, curious, and ready to learn. When you’re not weighed down by assumptions or preconceived notions, you can see possibilities that others might miss. A beginner’s mind allows you to approach challenges with fresh eyes, leading to innovative solutions.

Freestyle lesson: Go plural

True entrepreneurs rarely stick to just one role – they’re not banking on a single project but are instead pursuing several initiatives simultaneously. This approach not only hedges their bets but also supercharges their learning and growth. Remember the lesson about “and” instead of “or”? Well, juggling multiple projects or roles – known as “going plural” – can be the best strategy for achieving everything you want at the same time. For example, an entrepreneur might run a startup, invest in real estate, and write a book, all at once. Each endeavor informs and strengthens the others, creating a dynamic synergy.

But going plural isn’t just a choice – it’s a skill you need to develop. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, the most valuable skills for the future job market are creative and analytical thinking, self-efficacy, flexibility, and resilience. Interestingly, only one technical skill – technological literacy – made the shortlist. Going plural helps develop these sought-after skills because managing multiple projects requires adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to recover from setbacks. Relying too heavily on technical skills alone can be risky, as advancements in AI could potentially replace jobs that are primarily technical.

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What is Modern Achievement about?

Modern Achievement (2024) redefines leadership for today’s dynamic, globalized world, focusing on personal empowerment and the journey of achievement rather than just goal-setting. Through vivid storytelling, it empowers young leaders to grow, achieve, and inspire others by embracing a fresh, modern approach to success.

Who should read Modern Achievement?

Young professionals and recent graduates looking to develop their leadership skills
Business leaders aiming to adapt to new global challenges
Teachers and advisors who work with aspiring leaders

About the Author

Asheesh Advani is the CEO of JA Worldwide, a global nonprofit focused on youth empowerment through entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Marshall Goldsmith is a world-renowned leadership coach and author, best known for helping top executives achieve lasting behavioral change.

Categories with Modern Achievement

Productivity Career & Success Management & Leadership Personal Development

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