What Got You Here Won't Get You There
by Marshall Goldsmith (with Mark Reiter)
Published by Hyperion
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Reviewed by Celia Renteria Szelwach, DBA (ABD)
I recently completed an executive coaching assignment and stumbled across What Got You Here Won't Get You There by renowned corporate coach Marshall Goldsmith, named one of the fifty great thinkers by the American Management Association. In reading Dr. Goldsmith's work, I discovered valuable tools and techniques for enhancing both my coaching and interpersonal skills. My only regret--I wish it had been published sooner!
The book opens with a couple of unique case studies from Goldsmith's coaching experiences. These stories piqued my curiosity and made me want to read more. In 14 chapters, Goldsmith discusses:
-- The success delusion and why we resist change
-- 21 Habits that hold us back including: Passing judgment; Negativity; Failing to give recognition; Speaking when angry; Clinging to the past; Playing Favorites; and Goal obsession
-- Making changes through: Feedback, Apologizing, Listening, Thanking, and Following up
The author's comments on the "paradox of success" are particularly helpful as we can easily delude ourselves into thinking we've mastered skills as evidenced by professional accolades we receive. Unfortunately, as we ascend the corporate ladder, the reality might be quite different since others may be hesitant to tell us how we are "actually" perceived.
"Feedforward" is also useful in overcoming our resistance to negative feedback since it encourages us to ask for helpful ideas we can apply in the future. Goldsmith's views raised my level of consciousness and caused me to think more deeply about my own habits. Thanks to his behavioral descriptions and examples, I can take action to eliminate some of them and help my coaching clients as well!
Goldsmith's writing style is conversational, down-to-earth, and personalized. He recognizes that humility is still appreciated in a world of "guru-worshipping" and "world-renown" everything. Instead of using academic jargon and ambiguous concepts, the author shares his expertise in simple and readily actionable terms.
This book is an excellent resource for aspiring executives, corporate coaches, and anyone interested in learning key skills for becoming more effective personally and professionally.
Armchair Interviews says: A must-read for achieving personal excellence at any level.
Author's Web site: http://www.marshallgoldsmith.com