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James Gorman

Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
EPISODE 77

Know Who Keeps You Grounded

Today’s guest is James Gorman, the Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley.

In Australia, there’s something known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome. In a field of poppies, there are always one or two that stand out from the rest and it disrupts the beauty of the field. And so for that reason, they’ll snip off those poppies … they trim them down so they don’t stand out amongst the others.

What’s interesting is that as a culture, Australians do this with one another. If someone starts to succeed and think too highly of themselves, they help to keep each other grounded. And it’s important for all of us, as leaders, to know who keeps us grounded. Humility is vital if we want our success to be sustainable.

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More from James Gorman

Get comfortable holding risk and opportunity in tension
To make big things happen, you have to do two seemingly conflicting things: take big risks when the time is right while also staying prepared for worst-case scenarios.
You can’t have it all, so declare your priorities
It’s unrealistic to think you can excel in every area of life, all the time. Keep your perspective on what really matters and prioritize your work accordingly.
Review your numbers, tasks, and goals every day
How do you work toward your big vision while still staying connected to your daily tasks? Start by creating a habit to keep ALL those plans visible.
You’re not that special
Of course you’ve got great qualities—but then again, so does everybody else. True growth happens when you respect others’ abilities and focus less on yourself.

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Short (but powerful) leadership advice from entrepreneurs and CEOs of top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Target, Starbucks and more.

Clips

  • When you’re under pressure, get mentally and physically fit
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • You’re not that special
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • Execution is more important than analysis
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • Numbers don’t move people
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • Review your numbers, tasks, and goals every day
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • You can’t have it all, so declare your priorities
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • If you can go to a restaurant, you can go to the office
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • When your energy’s gone, it’s time to exit
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • Stay in close contact with your key stakeholders
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO
  • Get comfortable holding risk and opportunity in tension
    James Gorman
    James Gorman
    Morgan Stanley, Chairman and CEO

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