What Got You Here Won't Get You There

How Successful People Become Even More Successful

By: Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Reiter

Narrated by: Marc Cashman

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

What's holding you back? Your hard work is paying off. You are doing well in your field. But there is something standing between you and the next level of achievement. Perhaps one small flaw, a behavior you barely even recognize, is the only thing that's keeping you from where you want to be.  

Who can help? Marshall Goldsmith is an expert at helping global leaders overcome their (sometimes unconscious) annoying habits and attaining a higher level of success. His one-on-one coaching comes with a six-figure price tag. But with this audiobook, you'll get Marshall's great advice without the hefty fee!

What is the solution? The Harvard Business Review asked Goldsmith, "What is the most common problem faced by the executives that you coach?" Inside, he answers this question by discussing not only the key beliefs of successful leaders, but also the behaviors that hold them back. He addresses the fundamental problems that often come with success and offers ways to attack them. Goldsmith outlines 20 habits commonly found in the corporate environment and provides a systematic approach to helping executives achieve a positive change in behavior.

©2007 Marshall Goldsmith (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic Reviews

"[Goldsmith's] steps in coaching for success are simple, honest, without artifice." (Booklist)

Good book, but didn't lend to the audio format

I really liked this book and found the content to be valuable. However, more than other audiobooks that I've listened to, I found that this didn't lend itself to the format too well. I often felt like I needed to take notes or look back on a list (which of course wasn't available). The audiobook format left me wanting to get a copy from the library which I could copy a few tables and lists out of. This hasn't been my experience as much with other audio books.

Well Worth it

Very useful book. Even if you don't implement the full improvement strategy of apologizing and advertising it and following up, the various issues discussed are obviously true once you think about them. As the author says throughout, many of the solutions are simple, though not necessarily easy to implement. I would recommend this to anyone who works in an office environment, not just executives. In fact, the earlier in your career you recognize the issues the author discusses, the more effective you will be.

Not a "how to" book

The book lists 21 bad behaviors that can stalk an executive's career. The list is not an earth shattering revelation, such as competitive even for trivia matters, desire to add two cents to every conversation, overuse of "no", "but", and "however", inability to praise, and deflecting blame for any wrongdoing. I think the author is probably a good consultant but not a good writer. He uses a lot of sports analogy and sometimes poorly applied, like comparing the gripping of a golf club to listening (I think he was trying to explain how before taking action, you have to pay attention or something... it was just confusing). Also, this book doesn't work well as a "how to" book. The examples he gives are based on his consulting jobs where a 360 evaluation was done for the executive. It's easy for others to see your flaws (such as making sarcastic or negative remarks). They are the victims of your bad behaviors and feel the effects; you don't. Also, many people think and act differently from you. One or two individuals may find your behavior normal, while seven or eight find it annoying. This book is good if you're already considering fixing some of your bad habits. There are tips on how to get feedback from people and stay motivated to improve. If you're stalled in your career and can't figure why, this book won't answer that question.

Not about 360

I enjoyed the book. For me the value was in hearing Goldsmith talk about annoying & distracting habits, some of which plague me. In listening to his discussion of the habits I learned a few things about myself. Now I can change a few behaviors that may have been annoying others and holding me back.

A Must Read for Correcting Hidden or Known Flaws

If you could sum up What Got You Here Won't Get You There in three words, what would they be?

Change!!! And this doesn't mean changing others, it means changing yourself. Marshall Goldsmith shows us how.

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Got You Here Won't Get You There?

Each of us has character flaws, either unknown or known that we refuse to recognize as needing corrected. Change, however, is not only about recognizing what needs to be different about yourself, we need a reason to change, and then the ability to fix the flaw.

What about Marc Cashman’s performance did you like?

He is an excellent reader. He makes you feel that he wrote the book, which is very unusual when listening to an audio book.

What did you learn from What Got You Here Won't Get You There that you would use in your daily life?

Each of us need not only awareness of our faults, but we need the help of others in bringing about change within ourselves.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book as one of the best I have read or listened to on audio for aiding in making all of us better people, parents, spouses, coworkers, or bosses.

Brutally Practical Approach to Changing Yourself

Of all the books I have read which address techniques to make me a better person and more effective colleague, this may be close to the best. Marshall applies a brutally practical perspective that anyone who wants to change can benefit from.

Excellent

An excellent book! A must read for those of us who strive for success.

Are you a successful A-hole who wants to change?

This book should be titled “What Got You Here Probably Turned You Into An A-hole” because that’s the overall idea. I guess I thought it would be about something different, that’s probably why I was disappointed in the book. I couldn’t even finish the book. I got halfway thinking maybe the topic would change but it didn’t. If you’ve become a complete jackass and want to change then this is a great book for you.

This should be taught in high school!

Unparalleled material on self improvement in the workforce. The author reminds us that people can't improve on all aspects simultaneously (even though successful people want to get better at everything they do, it's important to follow this rule. Will come back for a 2nd, 3rd and 4th read really soon!

Great Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, has a lot of principles that can help people move from one stage to another in life, and also gives advice on what needs to be kept in mind.

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Got You Here Won't Get You There?

All the examples provided has relevance and applicability in daily life.

Have you listened to any of Marc Cashman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Nope

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

The points mentioned about how even successful people have chinks in the armor and even these chinks can be ironed out by focusing on the problem.