Book Review: Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won’t Get You There"

As an HR professional and coach, I firmly believe in the capacity of people to grow, learn, and improve both personally and professionally. In my experience, motivation and self-awareness are the key drivers of transformation. When someone tells me, "I am who I am, and I can’t change," I like to challenge them with a simple question: Are you the same person you were five years ago? More often than not, they acknowledge that they’ve changed. And for those who insist they haven’t, I ask a follow-up: What have you learned in the past five years?—the answer is rarely “nothing.”

Marshall Goldsmith’s book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There is a must-read for anyone seeking to grow or help others grow, whether personally or professionally. It's a cornerstone in the field of coaching and is often cited in many certification programs. Let me share some key insights that have significantly shaped my approach to coaching.

Coaching: A Journey from Self-Awareness to Growth

Goldsmith’s core philosophy is that coaching is a journey that begins with self-awareness and culminates in growth. From his vast experience coaching top executives, he discovered a truth: "The higher you go, the more your problems are behavioral." This means that as leaders ascend the ranks, their primary challenges become less about skills and more about behavior and how they are perceived by others.

Another crucial insight from Goldsmith is: “The higher up you go in the organization, the more you need to make other people winners, not just focus on your success.” This shift in mindset is vital for leaders transitioning from individual contributors to guiding others. While it can be difficult to step away from showcasing personal accomplishments, true leadership is about empowering others to succeed.

Why Should We Change?

Many people ask, Why should I change if I’m already successful? The answer lies in the fact that we all have blind spots, biases, and habits that may go unnoticed—or worse, be ignored. Cultivating a growth mindset requires a deep level of self-awareness: understanding who we are, who we want to become, and how others see us. Goldsmith stresses that identifying your core values is a fundamental step toward understanding why change is necessary.

Values such as money, power, status, being part of a community, motivating people, popularity, leaving a legacy, being a role model, or building a great company shape our motivations and decisions. By recognizing these drivers, we lay the groundwork for personal growth.

Common Bad Habits That Hold Us Back

Understanding our values is vital, but it’s only the beginning. We also need to be aware of how others perceive us and identify any bad habits that may be sabotaging our relationships and success. Goldsmith outlines 20 common habits that hold people back. These behaviors often weaken trust and reduce the level of commitment from those around us. Some of these include:

• Winning too much – always needing to come out on top
• Adding too much value – constantly “improving” every idea you hear
• Playing favorites
• Needing to be “me” – without empathy for how that affects others
• Passing judgment – constantly evaluating others
• Starting conversations with "no," "but," or "however"
• Telling everyone how smart you are
• Speaking in anger
• Negativity
• Withholding information
• Failing to recognize others
• Making excuses
• Clinging to the past
• Refusing to express regret
• Not listening
• Failing to express gratitude
• Punishing the messenger
• Passing the blame

Practical Solutions for Positive Change

Goldsmith doesn’t just identify the problem—he also provides practical solutions to overcome these habits. Here are a few of his most effective strategies:

• 360° Feedback: This is a valuable tool for gaining insight into how others perceive you. Goldsmith suggests conducting anonymous interviews with at least eight team members to gather honest feedback. This process can uncover blind spots and help leaders pinpoint areas for improvement.
• Active Listening: One of the most effective ways to address bad habits is simply by listening better. Take a moment to pause before responding, genuinely consider the other person’s perspective, and resist the urge to interrupt. When people feel heard, they feel valued.
• Apologizing: Learning to apologize sincerely is crucial. A simple, “I’m sorry, and I will do better” is often far more powerful than a long-winded explanation, which can come across as defensive or insincere.
• Seeking Help: Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a mark of self-awareness and strength. It also gives others the chance to showcase their expertise and strengthens collaborative relationships.
• Communicating Your Efforts: People tend to hold on to old perceptions, which is why it’s important to communicate your efforts to change. Let people know what you’re working on so they can recognize your growth. Regular check-ins help keep you accountable and give others a chance to acknowledge your progress.
• Gratitude: Expressing gratitude is simple but powerful. It strengthens relationships and reinforces positive behaviors.
• Stopping Bad Habits: Instead of trying to change everything at once, focus on eliminating one harmful behavior at a time. Even small changes can have a big impact.

Marshall Goldsmith’s book is a powerful reminder that success is not just about individual achievements but about how we can inspire and uplift those around us. By developing self-awareness, addressing our bad habits, and applying practical strategies, we can become leaders who not only thrive but also elevate others along the way.

If you're ready to take the next step in your personal or professional growth, I invite you to reflect on some of the key questions Goldsmith raises: What is holding you back? What habit do you need to stop? Take a moment to seek feedback from those around you, start listening more deeply, and most importantly, commit to becoming the leader you want to be.

Change begins with awareness. Let today be the day you start your journey toward meaningful, lasting growth.