Marshall Goldsmith

Overview

"What Got You Here, Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith is a book that explores the challenges professionals face as they advance in their careers. Goldsmith, a renowned executive coach, provides valuable insights and advice on how to overcome these obstacles and continue growing. Through numerous anecdotes and real-life examples, the author illustrates how certain behaviors that lead to success in one's early career can become hindrances to further advancement. This concise summary aims to highlight the main points and arguments put forth by Goldsmith in his book.

Key Points / Ideas

Goldsmith's primary argument is that what leads to success in one's early career may not be sufficient to continue progressing in the workplace. He introduces the concept of "transactional flaws," which are subtle behavioral tendencies that can undermine professional relationships and hinder career advancement.

One of the key insights of the book is that successful individuals often possess habits and behaviors that contribute to their success, such as being goal-oriented, ambitious, and results-driven. However, as they climb the corporate ladder, these same behaviors can become limiting factors. The author highlights this transition from individual contributor to leader, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing developmental needs.

To support his arguments, Goldsmith provides numerous examples of common transactional flaws, such as not listening attentively, speaking too much, seeking recognition excessively, and withholding information. He illustrates how these flaws can negatively impact professional relationships and hinder success. The author emphasizes the need for self-awareness to identify these flaws and the willingness to change to overcome them.

Goldsmith also underscores the significance of effective feedback in professional growth. He argues that seeking and receiving feedback from others is essential to identify blind spots and gain insights into one's behaviors. The author provides a practical framework for initiating feedback conversations and stresses the importance of having a genuine desire to improve based on the feedback received.

Conclusion

"What Got You Here, Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith offers valuable insights and practical advice for professionals seeking to continue their growth and advancement. By recognizing the limitations of behaviors that led to success in the past, individuals can adapt and overcome transactional flaws that might hinder their progress. With its numerous relatable examples and actionable steps, this book serves as a useful guide for personal and professional development. Readers are encouraged to delve deeper into the concepts presented by Goldsmith and explore related works such as "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg and "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman.