Marshall Goldsmith’s twenty habits in What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Marshall Goldsmith lists twenty habits that hold successful people back. You'll recognise a few!
Goldsmith's clients were senior executives, and he coached them for decades. This 2007 book collects the habits he saw in them. Every one is about how they treated other people.
The list includes winning too much and adding too much value to somebody else's idea. Starting sentences with no, but or however is on it, and so is passing judgement. So are withholding information, failing to give recognition and refusing to express regret.
Goldsmith on what leaders should stop
We spend a lot of time teaching leaders what to do. We don’t spend enough time teaching leaders what to stop.
Read this one twice if you manage people.Adding too much value.
Goldsmith says improving somebody's idea by ten per cent can cost you fifty per cent of their commitment to it.Starting with "No," "But," or "However."
You can count how often you say these three words in your next meeting.An excessive need to be "me."
Feedforward: ask about next time
Goldsmith also teaches feedforward. You ask people for suggestions for next time instead of feedback on what you did, and nobody mentions the past.
The person answering isn't judging you, so you've nothing to defend. You thank them and write the suggestions down.
Ask other people about your blind spots
This book sits behind the Johari Window in the workspace. You fill in three squares at a desk. The fourth holds what other people see in you, and there you name who you will ask.
Take Goldsmith's list to that person and ask which habits they've noticed.
Try Johari Window
We built Johari Window into the free Astera workspace to go with this book. Your answers save as you go.
Try itThe book itself is What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith.
Questions
Who is Marshall Goldsmith?
An executive coach who has worked with chief executives for decades. He wrote this book with Mark Reiter.
What else is on the list of twenty?
Making destructive comments, not listening, claiming credit you don't deserve, punishing the messenger and failing to express gratitude, among others.
Does the book say how to change a habit?
Yes. Goldsmith's steps are to apologise, tell people you're trying to change, listen, say thank you and follow up.