What Got You Here Won't Get You There
Marshall Goldsmith
15 min
7 Key Points
4.3 RateWhat's inside?
Discover the habits that may have brought you success but could hinder your future progress, and learn how to overcome them to achieve even greater heights.
You'll learn
1. Ditch these 20 bad work habits2. Beat the success illusion3. Master the art of listening and saying sorry4. Why feedback matters for growth5. Tips to change your ways and hit your targets6. Be a better boss at work.Key points
01Successful folks often fear changing their routine, worrying it might mess up their success. But, being open to change can actually lead to more success
Here's the thing about successful folks - they often think that the very things that got them to the top will keep them there. But that's not always the case. In fact, it can be a hindrance. Let's break it down. Imagine a high-flying business executive. He's known for his tough-as-nails negotiation style. He's convinced that this is the secret sauce to his success. Even if his colleagues or partners find it a bit too much, he's not going to change it. Why? Because he's scared it might mess with his winning streak. This fear of change is often rooted in a strong sense of self-confidence, sometimes tipping over into arrogance. Successful people often think they've got it all figured out. They've got their routines, their habits, their 'lucky charms' that they believe have played a big part in their success. They stick to these like glue, almost superstitiously. And here's the kicker - they often can't see the need for change. They brush off criticism, thinking their success is proof enough that they're on the right track. Any suggestion of change is seen as a threat, a challenge to their tried-and-tested methods. So, how do you get someone like this to consider change? Well, you've got to speak their language. Most successful people are motivated by things like money, power, status, and popularity. Show them how change can boost these areas, and you might just get their attention. Another hurdle is that successful people often think they're invincible. They overestimate their strengths and underestimate their weaknesses. They've got their 'lucky charms' and they're not willing to let go of them. This can create a false sense of security, where they refuse to admit that they too have flaws and can mess up. Take a top athlete, for example. He might think his intense training routine is the key to his success, ignoring the fact that his health is taking a hit from overtraining. He's scared to change his routine, thinking it might affect his performance. But a more balanced approach could actually improve his health and performance in the long run. The truth is, the changes needed to address these weaknesses or negative behaviors aren't usually earth-shattering. They won't mess with their success. But the fear of change and the belief in their 'lucky charms' often blind them to this. By showing them the benefits of change and easing their fears, you can help them embrace change and keep on winning.
02We often stick to bad habits that can block our path to success. It's key to spot these habits and kick them to the curb
Marshall Goldsmith's key message is that we often foster habits that, instead of propelling us forward, actually hold us back. Let's unpack this a bit. Goldsmith identifies two main types of these habits: those related to information and those related to emotions. Information-related habits can be split into two categories: oversharing when it's not needed, or "adding too much value," and not sharing enough, which results in withholding information. Emotion-related habits also have two sides: sharing when it's not suitable or not sharing when it is, and expressing too little or too much in your communication. These habits can trick us into feeling confident. We might believe they're beneficial, but in reality, they're often obstacles. For example, with information-based habits, we might overshare or withhold information in our daily interactions. This can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and even disagreements. Goldsmith also discusses the pitfalls that come with success, which often show up as harmful habits at work. He outlines twenty of these habits that can be damaging. These include the need to win at all costs, even when winning isn't the main objective, and adding too much value to discussions, which can make others feel undervalued or ignored. Other damaging habits include passing unnecessary judgement, making hurtful comments, implying that everyone else is wrong, and constantly reminding everyone of your intelligence. These behaviors can create a hostile work environment and ruin relationships. Goldsmith also highlights the habit of expressing anger or upset, constant negativity, withholding helpful information, refusing to give credit where it's due, and taking credit for work you didn't do. These habits can breed resentment and mistrust among colleagues. Other harmful habits include making excuses for poor behavior, holding onto past successes or mistakes, treating people unfairly, refusing to take responsibility for mistakes, failing to express gratitude, shooting the messenger, refusing to accept blame, and justifying faults as personality traits instead of acknowledging them as flaws. Lastly, Goldsmith points out the habit of goal obsession. This is when people become so engrossed in their long-term goals that they forget to live in the present. While it's crucial to have goals, it's equally important to live in the moment and make the most of each day. In a nutshell, Goldsmith's main message is that we often nurture and promote habits that can be harmful to our success. By recognizing and addressing these habits, we can improve our relationships, our work environment, and ultimately, our journey towards success.
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03Once you spot your flaws, don't ignore them. Work on fixing them. This self-improvement can lead to personal growth and more success
04If you mess up, say sorry and then show you mean it by changing your behavior. Also, listen before you speak to show respect and communicate effectively
05Don't forget to say 'thank you' to those you work with. It can boost morale and encourage teamwork
06Make sure everyone knows what their job is. This can prevent confusion, ensure everyone knows what they need to do, and boost productivity
07Conclusion
About Marshall Goldsmith
Marshall Goldsmith is a renowned American leadership coach and best-selling author. He specializes in helping successful leaders achieve positive, lasting change in behavior. Goldsmith was recognized as one of the fifteen most influential business thinkers in the world in the Thinkers50 2011, 2013, and 2015 rankings.
