What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful

by Marshall Goldsmith

book data

199 ratings, 3.75 average rating, 50 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		22%
4		39%
3		29%
2		8%
1		0%

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published

January 9th 2007 by Hyperion

binding

Hardcover, 256 pages

isbn

1401301304 (isbn13: 9781401301309)

description

America's most sought-after executive coach shows how to climb the last few rungs of the ladder

The corporate world is filled with executives, men an

...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 428)

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07/12/07

Elizabeth rated it:

Read in July, 2007

Where do you want/need to go? Do you have a plan to get there?If not, or ifyour lack of planning has always been a source of anxiety for you, may I suggest you pick up Marshall Goldsmith’s newest book, "What Got You Here Won’t Get You There?"? The book contains 20 habits that hold you back (from getting “there”, remember?) as well as a plethora of other bejewelled nuggets such as how you can change for the better. Here are some of my biggest takeaways which relate to everyone, ...more Where do you want/need to go? Do you have a plan to get there?If not, or ifyour lack of planning has always been a source of anxiety for you, may I suggest you pick up Marshall Goldsmith’s newest book, "What Got You Here Won’t Get You There?"? The book contains 20 habits that hold you back (from getting “there”, remember?) as well as a plethora of other bejewelled nuggets such as how you can change for the better. Here are some of my biggest takeaways which relate to everyone, not just the corporate leaders in our midst:

1) Habit #3 that holds you back: Passing Judgments. Just don’t do it. We discuss this concept at length in Uncommon Confidence. Basically, Marshall and I are advising the same thing: don’t inflict your world view on anyone except yourself. As each of us are unique, authentic beings. What works for us may not necessarily work for someone else. Judging others, Marshall tells us, pushes people away and limits our opportunities for success.

2) Habit #5 that holds you back: Starting with “No”, “But” or “However”. When we start sentences with these qualifiers, we are negating what the other person is saying. Let’s not do that. It seems obviously but here again, when we negate someone else’s worldview, we are pushing them away. We are also sending the message that we are more important than they are. We are also telling them that they are wrong. Ouch. That’s not the way to build a strong support team, now is it?

3) Changing for the better: Using active listening. When listening to someone, focus on them and add one more thing to the equation. Weigh your comment with Marshall’s indispensable sage advice, ask yourself “Is it worth it?” before you add your two pennies to the conversation. Asking yourself this will force you to focus on how the other person will feel after your comment. “Is it worth it?” will also show the other person who you are and that you care about them.

4) Changing for the better: Practicing gratitude. I have a gratitude journal and write in it daily. I feel like I do pretty well with the gratitude thing but Marshall, bless him, gave me a really good idea in this area which is so important to me. Marshall says “thank you” at the end of each phone call instead of goodbye. I love this! This is a fabulous way to show your respect for the person on the other end of the phone. It also sends a message to that person that you appreciate his or her words. You almost cannot overdue gratitude. Think about it: how many times are you sincerely thanked in one day? Not that many I would guess. Gratitude is a gift. Give and take it with grace and sincerity.

You Can’t Get There From Here, while marketed as a business/success book, offers so many riches to the average person. Interestingly what might hold the corporate executive back from getting to her place of desire is exactly what will hold you back. Perhaps every habit doesn’t apply to you (I hope not) but some will. As always, take what you want, what applies to you and leave the rest.

What is holding you back from getting There?(less)

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07/04/07

Rod White rated it:

Read in June, 2007

recommends it for: junior execs and such

I like practical thoughts from business dudes. They help me keep thinking about how to lead. Goldsmith is helping people not just succeed at being skilled, but succeed at relating well -- that is key to making something worthwhile happen. Kind of a "duh!" -- but it is amazing what we don't think about, once we are in the habits of being jerks.

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06/17/09

Mike rated it:

Read in June, 2009

This book was recommended by many of the professors in my MBA program. It describes the way that technical skills become less important as you move forward in your career. Other soft or interpersonal skills become more important. I have seen this happen in my own career path and agree with the idea.

In the book, Goldsmith outlines 20 common vices that managers have. They are simple things that we just need to stop doing in order to be even more successful. He also outlines some importan...more

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02/01/09

Leah McChesney rated it:

Read in February, 2009

This book is great,I highly recommend it. Goldsmith points out all the 'bad' behaviors that we see in others and in ourselves and realize the consequences of those behaviors. They are often more damaging than we realize. He also helps you find ways (often easy one's) to change, which in return has positive results. Although this book is written to a business audience...you can relate to it in family life or any relationship. A true principle is a true principle. The behaviors pointed out are not...more

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09/29/08

Sanjeev Roy rated it:

As a practicing Executive Coach, cant think of a better book.
Great read for any senior corporate executive.

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03/16/09

Allisonperkel rated it:

bookshelves: management, self-help

Read in March, 2009

I rarely read self help or management books that read like a self help book. In the case of this book, I'm really glad I did. Within these pages there are a number of bad habits (20 or 21 depending how you count) and then several chapters talking about some ways to identify them and some ideas on how to go about changing them.

This is all pretty simple a ha! stuff and that's what really makes the book sing. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to gain insight into themselve...more

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01/06/09

Stacy rated it:

bookshelves: worldnet-read

Read in March, 2009

This book is full of fix yourself ideas. Much of this I feel I already practice unknowingly and hearing the reason behind the actions make me understand and as pointed out to me by a colleague will help me to prefect those actions even further. Some items on the other hand I do need to work on. I was hoping to find on the web site so sort of worksheet or followup to help. There is no such material. I emailed Marshall and he emailed me back that the items were on Amazon but they are not. I am wai...more

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11/02/08

Jerry Smith rated it:

bookshelves: business, personal-development

Read in November, 2008

There is so much good stuff in here. I particularly like te 20 habits section as, although they are commin sense things, they all need to be brought up again and again.

The thrust of the book is all about how, as a successful person, you can go to the next level. It also points out how these distructive behaviors don't hold you back until you get to a certain level in a company, then they become a problem.

Some of the points are well made and insightful. So far (having not...more

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08/02/08

Gene Babon rated it:

bookshelves: leadership

Read in September, 2008

recommends it for: anyone who is in a managerial position in the workplace.

This is my third candidate for best business book of 2008. (Launching a Leadership Revolution and Never Eat Alone are the others.) What Got You Here is a look at successful business professionals who reach a road block in their careers that prevents them from getting to the next level (Won't Get You There). The book provided a road map to identify the blockage and remove it from impeding your progress.

The book details the 20 habits that hold most people back from advancing in thei...more This is my third candidate for best business book of 2008. (Launching a Leadership Revolution and Never Eat Alone are the others.) What Got You Here is a look at successful business professionals who reach a road block in their careers that prevents them from getting to the next level (Won't Get You There). The book provided a road map to identify the blockage and remove it from impeding your progress.

The book details the 20 habits that hold most people back from advancing in their careers. These are habits and not skills. The higher you go the more your problems are behavioral. Identifying and correcting interpersonal behavior issues more than likely will remove (or at least minimize) the career-threatening road block.

The message to executives is clear: Stop looking at yourself in the mirror and admiring yourself; let your colleagues hold the mirror and tell you what they see. The best vehicle available to accomplish this is confidential 360-degree feedback. This is feedback, not only from superiors, but especially from coworkers and subordinates.

Feedback only tells us what to change, not how to change it. The process of behavior change revolves around an extended period of time focusing on the following five actions:

- apologizing for the behavior
- advertising that you are in the process of changing the behavior
- listening (not talking) to others about how you are doing
- thanking others for the gift of feedback
- following up relentlessly until colleagues notice and believe a sustainable change has taken place.

Here is the only challenge I see in making the workplace more friendly and productive: without organizational commitment to implementing a confidential 360-degree feedback mechanism, nothing will change.

That said, business managers can take the initiative to identify their own behaviors that need improvement. One interesting self-examination device proposed is the drafting of a "How to Handle Me" memo that you can circulate to stimulate dialogue among the troops.

If you find yourself stuck at the workplace, it might not be others holding you back. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to hold up a mirror and listen to hear if What Got Your Here Won't Get You There.(less)

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07/25/08

Greg rated it:

bookshelves: personal-development, professional-development

Read in October, 2008

Quite a good book, and worth the read for anyone interested in professional development. Marshall Goldmsith is a preeminent executive coach, and in this book, he outlines his thoughts on a number of different issues for personal and professional development.

He addresses twenty habits that become obstacles for many people, including:

1. Winning too much
2. Adding too much value
3. Passing judgment
4. Making destructive comments
5. Starting with "No...more

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02/01/08

Rganesh rated it:

bookshelves: easy-to-read, high-humour-quotient, leadership

Read in April, 2007

One of the blurbs on the back cover of the book quotes WSJ saying that Marshall Goldsmith is the #1 executive coach who charges a six figure dollar fee for his coaching services and that we can get that same advice for 20-odd dollars. Believe me, it's true.

This book is a must-read for any person holding positions of authority (leaders) who have tasted success in life. The same qualities that gave us success become roadblocks for moving to the next level, and blind us to our bad habit...more

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06/21/09

Brad Epp rated it:

Intersting thoughts...

Most successful people possess extraordinary skills;
that’s why they do well. But once people attain success, their bad habits or behavioral
foibles move to the forefront. In fact, often, the more successful leaders become, the
more their issues relate to their behavior, and the more power a behavioral problem has
to halt their rise or contribute to their downfall.

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06/29/09

Brent rated it:

bookshelves: currently-reading

Really disappointed. I had to read this for work. It's about the 20 things people do that annoy other people or prevent us from working well with others. Seems like sort of obvious stuff. I'm about 2/3 of the way done and haven't had any big revelations.

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12/30/08

Robert rated it:

I was shocked by how many of the bad habits I could recognise in myself. This book seemed to look at superficial behaviour, as opposed to deeper character, but it could help a person take an honest look at their self.

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12/30/08

Jeff rated it:

bookshelves: 2009-book-list

This was a different book than I thought it would be. I assumed it was about change and innovation. Instead, it talked about interpersonal behavior as the key to changing and improving your success. Once we reach a certain level of success, we think our ways of working will get us to the next level. What we often forget, the author contends, is that we bring our positive and negative interpersonal attributes with us. "When people ask me if the leaders I coach can really change their beha...more

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03/12/09

Jonathan rated it:

Read in February, 2009

good career-oriented book. based on the fact that the higher you rise in a company and the farther along you get in your career, the more your problems become interpersonal rather than performance based.

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05/31/09

Michael Conlon rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

Goldsmith's approach is unique in that he's not tell you what to do, but rather what not to do. In the book, he takes a practical look at 20 that could be killing your leadership potential.

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01/15/09

Kara rated it:

Read in November, 2008

Identifies some bad habits that can hold you back and were good to think about. But I didn't find his suggested action plan to fix those things reasonable or easy to start.

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05/29/09

Abdo rated it:

Read in April, 2009

Great book, helps you become more considerate for others in the workplace as well as in your personal life.

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11/22/08

Sam rated it:

bookshelves: finance-business

Read in December, 2008

Good read. We all have blind spots about our own behavior. We all do annoying stuff. This book is a great way to go through a self-examination of your personal habits that may be keeping you back from the success you could otherwise attain.

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