What Got You Here Won’t Get You There — Review & Summary (Marshall Goldsmith)
Overview
- Author: Marshall Goldsmith
- Published: 2007
- Genre: Leadership, Self-Improvement
- Length: ~256 pages
- Language: English
Short Summary
Goldsmith identifies 20 habits that hold successful people back—like winning too much or failing to listen—and offers practical, behavior-based fixes for advancement.
Key Takeaways
- Success habits can become future blockers.
- Feedback and feedforward accelerate change.
- Apology + consistent follow-up builds trust.
- Stakeholder-centered coaching makes progress measurable.
Notable Quotes
“What got you here won’t get you there.”
“People don’t get better without follow-up.”
Who Should Read This Book?
Leaders and high performers seeking to remove subtle behaviors that limit impact.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Actionable, behavior-first approach.
- Great real-world executive examples.
- Simple tools (feedforward).
Cons:
- Less useful for entry-level readers.
- Some repetition across habits.
Final Verdict
Sharp, practical guide to leveling up leadership by unlearning limiting habits.
Buy on Amazon
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