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

Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" isn't a novel with a plot and characters in the traditional sense. Instead, it's a self-help guide using real-life anecdotes and research to explore why successful individuals often plateau or even regress in their careers. The "characters" are the numerous executives and high-achievers Goldsmith coaches, anonymized to protect their privacy but whose behaviors are vividly described.

The overarching theme is the need for successful people to identify and change specific, counterproductive behaviors that, while previously helpful in their ascent, now hinder their progress and damage their relationships. The book doesn't focus on grand, sweeping life changes, but rather on small, yet impactful, behavioral adjustments. Goldsmith argues that these seemingly insignificant actions—like interrupting constantly, being overly critical, or always needing to be right—accumulate to significantly impede advancement and fulfillment.

The book's main plot, if one can call it that, revolves around the identification and correction of these "bad habits." Goldsmith uses a structured approach, focusing on 20 specific behaviors that he's observed to be most detrimental to success. These include:

• Passing judgment: Constantly criticizing others and offering unsolicited advice.
• Showing negativity: Complaining, whining, or focusing on the negative aspects of situations.
• Making excuses: Blaming external factors for failures instead of taking responsibility.
• Being arrogant: Acting superior and condescending towards others.
• Over-committing: Taking on more than one can handle, leading to poor performance and stress.
• Not listening: Interrupting and failing to truly hear what others are saying.

The book highlights how these behaviors, while perhaps effective in early career stages (e.g., assertiveness might be mistaken for arrogance), become serious obstacles to further growth and positive relationships as one progresses. The "plot" unfolds as Goldsmith illustrates how these behaviors manifest in real-life situations, emphasizing the negative consequences on both professional success and personal well-being.

The "solution" isn't a dramatic turnaround, but a commitment to self-awareness and behavioral modification. Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of feedback, both from oneself and others, along with daily practice and accountability to overcome these ingrained patterns. The book provides practical tools and exercises to help readers identify their own problematic behaviors and develop strategies for change, emphasizing the power of small, consistent actions in achieving lasting positive change. Ultimately, the book's message is that continued success requires continuous self-improvement and a willingness to adapt one's behavior to meet the changing demands of leadership and personal growth.