Marshall Goldsmith's book, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, explores how successful individuals can become trapped by their own habits. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, feedback, and a commitment to change in overcoming interpersonal challenges that hinder further growth.
A transformative book that focuses on leveling up your success: What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith, co-authored with Mark Ryder. This book is not your typical self-help guide; it targets those who are already successful but feel stuck or are experiencing a plateau in their careers.
The Paradox of Success
Goldsmith, a leading executive coach, presents a compelling argument: the very habits and behaviors that helped us achieve success can become our biggest obstacles to further growth. This paradox resonates with anyone who has reached a certain level of accomplishment only to find themselves unable to progress further.
Understanding Your Position
The book introduces the concept of a personal "you-are-here" map, akin to those found in shopping malls. Successful individuals often lose sight of their position on this map, becoming unaware of how their behavior affects those around them. Goldsmith illustrates this with real-world examples of successful people—a CEO, a magazine editor, and a financial consultant—who face career-damaging interpersonal challenges. These examples highlight that even talented and accomplished individuals can make mistakes that hinder their progress.
The Importance of Feedback
Goldsmith emphasizes the critical role of feedback in helping individuals reorient themselves on their personal map. He advocates for 360-degree feedback, which gathers input from bosses, peers, subordinates, and even family members. This feedback reveals the often unvarnished truth about how one's behavior is perceived, serving as a wake-up call for those who may be resistant to acknowledging their shortcomings.
The Process of Change
Once individuals recognize the need for change, Goldsmith guides them through a structured process:
Apologies: Goldsmith views apologies as a cleansing ritual that helps erase past baggage. A simple acknowledgment of mistakes—"I'm sorry. I'll try to do better"—is crucial for moving forward.
Advertising: To change perceptions, individuals must actively communicate their intentions to improve. This involves announcing their efforts and following up regularly with colleagues to gauge progress.
Feed Forward: This innovative approach focuses on soliciting advice for future improvement rather than dwelling on past mistakes. By asking colleagues for suggestions on specific behaviors, individuals can foster a more positive and solution-oriented environment.
Understanding Resistance to Change
Goldsmith identifies four core beliefs that successful people hold, which can also hinder their ability to adapt:
I have succeeded: This belief can lead to overestimating one's contributions and resisting criticism.
I can succeed: Confidence in one's abilities may morph into an inflated sense of control.
I will succeed: Unshakable optimism can result in overcommitment and difficulty prioritizing change.
I choose to succeed: A strong emphasis on self-determination can make individuals resistant to altering their behavior.
These beliefs, combined with the tendency to confuse correlation with causation, create a superstition trap where individuals cling to behaviors they believe are essential to their success, even when those behaviors are counterproductive.
Identifying Behavioral Habits
Goldsmith's book outlines 20 specific behavioral habits that can hinder success. These habits are not flaws of skill or intelligence but rather interpersonal challenges that create friction in the workplace. Here are some key examples:
Winning too much: The need to win at all costs, even in trivial matters.
Adding too much value: Constantly interjecting ideas that diminish others' ownership.
Withholding information: Hoarding knowledge to maintain power.
Failing to express gratitude: A lack of basic manners that can damage relationships.
Additionally, Goldsmith introduces a 21st habit: goal obsession, which can distort values and lead to many of the other negative habits.
The Seven-Step Process for Change
Goldsmith outlines a seven-step process for change, emphasizing that these are simple behaviors to implement:
Feedback: Solicit feedback effectively, ensuring confidentiality and commitment from those providing it.
Apologizing: Keep apologies simple and sincere.
Advertising: Actively communicate intentions to change.
Listening: Engage in active listening, asking if what you are about to say is worth saying.
Thanking: Use gratitude to create closure and diffuse conflict.
Following Up: Regular follow-ups are essential for demonstrating commitment to change.
Feed Forward: Focus on future-oriented advice to foster improvement.
Additional Rules for Leaders
In the final sections, Goldsmith offers additional rules for leaders, advising them to be selective about whom they coach and to avoid trying to change individuals who are not ready or willing to change. He also cautions against the golden rule fallacy, which is managing others the way one wants to be managed.
Conclusion: The Main Takeaway
The central message of What Got You Here Won't Get You There is that success can be a trap. The very habits that propelled individuals to a certain level can become significant obstacles to further growth. However, these habits are not insurmountable. With self-awareness, feedback, and a commitment to change, individuals can overcome these challenges.
Key Takeaways
I'm sorry. I'll try to do better: The simplest and most effective apology.
Thank you: A powerful tool for diffusing conflict.
Is it worth it?: A question to ask before speaking.
How can I do better?: The only question to ask when soliciting feedback.
What's in it for them?: Understanding natural law in action.
The best time to change is now: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to initiate change.
By embracing these principles, individuals can unlock their potential and continue their journey of success.