Marshall Goldsmith What Got You Here – Everything You Should Know

Author anthony Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won't Get You There": A Leadership Guide for the Modern Age

The business world is constantly evolving, demanding adaptability and a willingness to confront shortcomings. While past successes may have paved the way for current positions, clinging to outdated behaviors can hinder future growth and success. Marshall Goldsmith's seminal work, "What Got You Here Won't Get You There," offers a potent antidote to this common pitfall, providing a framework for identifying and transforming self-defeating behaviors that, while previously beneficial, now act as obstacles. This article explores key takeaways from Goldsmith's book, examining its impact on leadership development and organizational success.

Identifying and Addressing Self-Limiting Behaviors
The Power of Feedback and Accountability in Self-Improvement
Implementing Sustainable Change Through Practical Strategies

Identifying and Addressing Self-Limiting Behaviors

Goldsmith's book isn't about identifying inherent flaws; instead, it focuses on behaviors, learned patterns of action that, while effective in the past, can become liabilities in new environments or roles. He highlights twelve common behaviors that hinder leadership and professional success, including "Adding Negativity," "Passing Judgment," "Making excuses," and "Being a know-it-all." These aren't necessarily character defects but habits that become ingrained over time. The book encourages readers to recognize these behaviors, not to judge themselves harshly, but to understand their impact and to actively work towards changing them. Goldsmith stresses the importance of self-awareness as the first crucial step towards change. “The first step is acknowledging that we have these behaviors,” states Goldsmith in numerous interviews. “We have to stop denying it. We have to acknowledge that these behaviors are not helping us to be as effective as we could be.” The act of identification is itself a catalyst for transformation. The book’s methodology encourages detailed self-assessment, often through feedback from peers and colleagues, to illuminate these blind spots.

The Power of Feedback and Accountability in Self-Improvement

A significant contribution of Goldsmith's work lies in its emphasis on feedback and accountability. He argues that relying solely on introspection is insufficient for sustainable change. The book advocates for a systematic approach to seeking and utilizing feedback from others. Goldsmith's research demonstrates that people often have a distorted perception of their own behavior, failing to recognize the negative impact of their actions on others. This reinforces the importance of seeking external perspectives. The process often begins with asking trusted colleagues or mentors to provide candid feedback, focusing specifically on the twelve identified behaviors. This process can be challenging, requiring individuals to be receptive to potentially critical information. However, it's crucial for accurate self-assessment and identifying specific areas needing improvement. Furthermore, the book highlights the power of accountability partners, individuals who can provide support, encouragement, and regular check-ins to ensure progress towards self-improvement goals. These partners act as a vital counterbalance to the inherent self-protective mechanisms that might otherwise derail efforts at change. The concept of an “accountability partner” – someone specifically tasked with observing progress and gently nudging them along the correct path – is a key part of the book’s effectiveness and has been widely adopted in leadership development programs. "You can't change what you don't acknowledge, and you can't acknowledge what you don't see," Goldsmith frequently underscores in his lectures.

Implementing Sustainable Change Through Practical Strategies

"What Got You Here Won't Get You There" is not simply a theoretical treatise; it provides practical strategies for implementing change. The book advocates for a process of focused self-improvement, breaking down the task into manageable steps. Goldsmith suggests starting with a single behavior to address, rather than attempting to overhaul everything at once. This approach emphasizes the importance of building momentum and creating achievable goals. The process involves creating specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for each targeted behavior. Regular feedback sessions with accountability partners provide a mechanism for tracking progress, addressing challenges, and maintaining motivation. Furthermore, the book encourages the development of alternative behaviors to replace the self-limiting ones. This isn't about simply stopping negative actions; it's about actively cultivating positive alternatives. For instance, instead of "Adding Negativity," the alternative might be focusing on contributing positive suggestions. These positive alternatives require conscious effort and practice, creating new habits that eventually replace the old ones. Goldsmith's emphasis on incremental change, combined with focused effort and external accountability, constitutes the core of his approach’s effectiveness. The book’s lasting legacy is its systematic approach that moves beyond inspirational platitudes to offer concrete, actionable steps toward self-improvement.

The enduring relevance of Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" stems from its focus on behavioral change as the key to sustained success. By providing a framework for self-assessment, feedback, and accountability, the book empowers individuals and organizations to confront self-limiting behaviors and cultivate more effective leadership styles. The principles outlined within its pages remain invaluable for navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape and continue to resonate deeply with leaders seeking both personal and professional growth. Its emphasis on practical strategies and sustained effort makes it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their effectiveness and achieve lasting success.

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