What Got You Here Just Might Get You There

They say what got you here won't get you there. It's one of the most used expressions in growing and changing organizations. It's well intended and I get it. Yet I also take exception with it..

The underlying logic has merit. That is, as an organization, the systems and structures and processes and investments, maybe even the clients and customers and types of employees that you hire need to change as your organization grows and changes. Similarly as an individual your education, experiences, specific technical skills, routines of your day may have to change as well. But none of that is "what got you here" - as an organization or as an individual.

What got you here, individually and organizationally were things like perseverance, resilience, creativity, and courage. It was the willingness to take risks, the willingness to put yourself out there. It was hard work and commitment. It was authenticity, other-centeredness, generosity, compassion for others, investment in relationships, These are the things that individuals and organizations build their lives around; these are the things you build success around. And they will get you there, wherever there is.

In our over 20 years of growth I was often struck by the concerned comment that "what we're doing now won't work when we are X size". While I didn't doubt the validity of the comment or the well-intended nature of it, I would also be struck by the lack of recognition that we would evolve, adapt and innovate to the next thing. We would find new ways of working. And that it was the courage and creativity and trust required to evolve that got us to where we were - not the process or structure that was in place at the moment. And that same courage, creativity and trust would (and will) take us forward.

When we overemphasize the structure and the technical, it dilutes or distracts our understanding of that which is more important. Those traits and attributes that define our character are what propel us to new heights. We are all wise to double down on those. Doing so gives us tremendous flexibility to try new things to approach new spaces to realize our fullest potential.

Similarly as leaders seeing these things in others - the intangibles - allows us to see the possibility in them. When our view of people is restricted to a list of credentials or degrees or job titles or specific skills, we limit the view of what they're capable of. That's not what will make them thrive and do great things. It's not what will "get them there". It's the intangibles, the mindsets, the commitment that will. It's the person behind the resume that matters not the resume itself.

Whether we're leading others, leading our organizations, or just leading ourselves, by recognizing?and emphazing what really got us here - and will get us there - we can aspire to new heights, have the courage to take on new challenges, and realize greater impact on all. ?

"Points of Impact" is a publication expressing thoughts on how we might approach our work differently to have a better impact on others and the world. For more related perspectives, check out the book Impact with Love: Building Business for a Better World - now available on Audible!

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