Marshall Goldsmith’s What Got You Here Won’t Get You There is a practical guide for successful individuals looking to move to the next level in their careers and personal growth. The book highlights how habits and behaviors that initially contribute to success can become obstacles to further achievement. Goldsmith, an executive coach, identifies key areas where leaders often stumble and offers actionable strategies for change.
Key Concepts:
Success Can Be a Barrier to Growth
Achievements can lead to complacency and a resistance to feedback, making it harder to identify and change counterproductive behaviors.
The Twenty Habits That Hold You Back (see below)
Goldsmith outlines common behavioral challenges, such as the need to win too much, adding too much value, passing judgment, failing to express gratitude, or not listening. These habits can alienate colleagues and hinder professional progress.
Feedback and Feedforward
Embrace feedback not as criticism but as an opportunity for improvement. Goldsmith also introduces "feedforward," focusing on future-oriented suggestions rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
The Importance of Apology, Listening, and Gratitude
Acknowledging mistakes, genuinely listening to others, and expressing gratitude are essential for building trust and fostering collaboration.
Changing Behavior Requires Commitment
Sustainable change requires humility, discipline, and ongoing effort. Goldsmith recommends enlisting the support of colleagues or coaches for accountability.
Core Takeaway:
Success is not just about technical skills or intelligence but about emotional intelligence and interpersonal effectiveness. To achieve new levels of success, leaders must be willing to unlearn old habits, embrace feedback, and continuously adapt their behavior.
Marshall Goldsmith’s 20 common habits that hinder successful individuals
These behaviors often stem from ego, a desire to win, or an inability to adapt to feedback. Here’s a summary of the 20 habits:
Winning Too Much The excessive need to win in all situations, even trivial ones.
Adding Too Much Value Always wanting to add input, even when it’s unnecessary, which can undermine others' contributions.
Passing Judgment Constantly evaluating others, which can discourage or alienate them.
Making Destructive Comments Engaging in sarcasm or negative remarks that hurt relationships.
Starting with “No,” “But,” or “However” Dismissing or contradicting ideas immediately, which stifles dialogue.
Telling the World How Smart You Are Overemphasizing your intelligence or expertise, which can come across as arrogant.
Speaking When Angry Letting emotions drive communication, often resulting in regret.
Negativity (Let Me Explain Why That Won’t Work) Always focusing on why something won’t succeed instead of supporting or improving ideas.
Withholding Information Hoarding information to maintain control or advantage.
Failing to Give Proper Recognition Not acknowledging or appreciating others' contributions.
Claiming Credit That We Don’t Deserve Taking undue credit for others’ work or shared accomplishments.
Making Excuses Justifying mistakes instead of taking responsibility.
Clinging to the Past Blaming past events for present issues rather than moving forward.
Playing Favorites Treating certain individuals preferentially, leading to perceptions of bias or unfairness.
Refusing to Express Regret Failing to apologize or acknowledge mistakes.
Not Listening Paying insufficient attention to others, which can make them feel undervalued.
Failing to Express Gratitude Overlooking the importance of saying “thank you.”
Punishing the Messenger Reacting negatively to people who bring bad news, discouraging openness.
Passing the Buck Shifting blame onto others instead of owning up to responsibility.
An Excessive Need to Be “Me” Insisting on clinging to traits or behaviors under the guise of authenticity, even when they are counterproductive.
Key Insight:
Recognizing and addressing these habits can help individuals improve their interpersonal relationships, enhance team dynamics, and achieve higher levels of success.
By working with Elizabeth Hall Getting It Done Coaching, you’ll gain personalized strategies to break free from your habits, elevate your leadership presence, and foster stronger relationships in your professional and personal life. Let’s work together to turn your full potential into action and ensure that your success goes beyond where you’ve already been.