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What Got You Here Won't Get You There
By Marshall Goldsmith
Reviewed: July 2007
 Marshall
Goldsmith has written a simple, straight forward book designed
to actually change top-level executive’s career-stymieing
behaviours. That’s right; even those who have made it
to the top of their companies have things to work on. The
question is how to undo years of bad habits within a narrow
spectrum of a hugely successful performance record?
In this eminently readable book, one of the world’s
top behavioural coaches outlines the twenty workplace habits
that undermine any career. A Ph.D. in organizational behaviour
with almost thirty years of executive coaching experience,
Goldman is an expert on how to eliminate the annoying and
arrogant habits of some of the most successful men and women
in fortune 100 corporations around the world.
The reason I recommend this particular leadership development
book (sub-titled, “How successful people become even
more successful”) over some others that are currently
making waves is this: Marshall has honed it down to a simple
science. No more excuses, blaming others, passing the buck.
No more taking all the credit, negating direct reports input
with “yes, but…” or talking too much. The
simple truth IS simple: we all know exactly what doesn’t
work but we do it anyway. Why? Dr. Goldsmith nets out the
answers, allowing the reader to identify his/her own “bad
habits.”
Most all the 20 undermining behaviours he dissects are based
on two primary needs: to win and to be right. In my work I
see the same thing all the time. Often, the higher one rises
in the chain of command, the harder it becomes to admit mistakes.
The same things that got them where they are, become the exact
traits that now hold them back from further advancement. Yet,
as Goldsmith makes clear through numerous real life examples,
admitting one’s failings actually raises the respect
level of those around us for us. Apologizing (as well as saying
“thank you”) is high on Goldsmith’s list
for his clients.
I read What Got You Here Won’t Get You There in a weekend.
I wanted to keep reading. That says a lot for both the style
and content of this book. I really don’t bother finishing
the ones from which I don’t learn, or that are written
so poorly that the message gets lost. This one is a real delight.
Something I want to recommend. With suggestions I want to
implement. It’s a real two-for worth the reader’s
time and attention.
After you read it, you could even consider leaving it on
the desk of that person at the office you find so annoying…
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Leadership
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