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What Got You Here Won't Get You There

 by Marshall Goldsmith

 

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After recently completing the coaching training program at ISCP aligned with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) standards, I have experienced tremendous growth on a personal and professional level. One of the books that has profoundly influenced my coaching practice/ behavioral change is "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith. In this blog, I will share key insights from the book and how they have shaped my approach not only on the coaching journey, but also towards Leadership development.

Overview of "What Got You Here Won't Get You There"

Marshall Goldsmith’s book is a compelling guide for successful professionals who aspire to achieve even greater success. He emphasizes the importance of feedback and the necessity of behavioral change to overcome these detrimental habits.

 Goldsmith identifies 20 workplace habits that can hinder your progress and provides actionable changes to overcome them:

  1. Winning Too Much: Focus on collaboration and shared success rather than personal victories. Celebrate others' achievements.

  2. Adding Too Much Value:Practice active listening and allow others to contribute their ideas without immediately adding your input.

  3. Passing Judgment: Cultivate an open mind and provide constructive feedback without making negative judgments.

  4. Making Destructive Comments:Replace sarcasm and negativity with positive reinforcement and encouragement.

  5. Starting with “No,” “But,” or “However”:Start responses with “Yes,” “I agree,” or “That’s interesting” to show openness and support.

  6. Telling the World How Smart We Are:Let your actions and results speak for themselves. Acknowledge others' intelligence and contributions.

  7. Speaking When Angry:Take a moment to calm down before responding. Practice mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques.

  8. Negativity, or “Let Me Explain Why That Won’t Work”:Focus on possibilities and solutions. Encourage experimentation and learning from mistakes.

  9. Withholding Information:Share relevant information openly to foster trust and collaboration.

  10. Failing to Give Proper Recognition:Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and achievements of others.

  11. Claiming Credit That We Don’t Deserve:Give credit where it is due and recognize the contributions of your team.

  12. Making Excuses:Take responsibility for your actions and outcomes. Focus on what you can control and improve.

  13. Clinging to the Past:Embrace change and look forward. Learn from past experiences without being bound by them.

  14. Playing Favorites:Treat all team members fairly and equally. Make decisions based on merit and contribution.

  15. Refusing to Express Regret:Apologize sincerely when you make a mistake. Showing humility can strengthen relationships.

  16. Not Listening:Practice active listening by giving full attention to the speaker and showing empathy.

  17. Failing to Express Gratitude:Regularly express gratitude and appreciation for the efforts and support of others.

  18. Punishing the Messenger:Encourage open communication and accept feedback without blaming the bearer of bad news.

  19. Passing the Buck:Own your responsibilities and be accountable for the outcomes of your decisions.

  20. An Excessive Need to Be “Me”:Be adaptable and willing to adjust your behavior for the benefit of the team and the organization.

 

Key Takeaways from this book,

  1. Feedback is Crucial: Understanding how others perceive you is vital for personal growth.

  2. Behavioral Changes: Success in the future requires changing behaviors that have been successful in the past but are now limiting.

  3. Active Listening: Truly listening to others is a critical skill for effective leadership and coaching.

 

My personal reflection

      Reading these books has been transformative. Goldsmith’s insights have taught me to be more mindful of my habits and the importance of continuous feedback. One of the most significant behavioral changes I have adopted from my training is the practice of deep listening. During conversations, I have learned to focus entirely on the speaker without thinking about what to say next. This has enhanced my ability to understand clients more deeply and respond more thoughtfully. Implementing these principles has enriched my interactions with my people, helping them achieve their goals more effectively.

 Have you read this book? what were your takeaways? share your thoughts.

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Reviewed by Koushik Uthaiah

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