(most people ignore these)
A great book I recommend when coaching senior leaders is Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.”
It focuses on leadership and personal development, offering insights and advice for leaders looking to enhance their effectiveness.
Here are 10 of my career advancement takeaways for leaders from the book:
#1 Success Habits Can Become Limitations
Goldsmith emphasizes that the habits that lead to success in one stage of your career may become impediments in the next. Leaders should be aware of this and be willing to adapt.
#2 Feedback is Crucial
Leaders often have blind spots. Seeking and accepting feedback is essential for personal and professional growth. Actively seek input from others to understand how your behavior and decisions affect your team and the organization.
#3 The Importance of Listening
Effective leaders need to be good listeners. Goldsmith stresses the value of paying attention to others, giving them the respect of truly hearing their perspectives, and not interrupting or being judgmental.
#4 Avoiding the Need to Win Every Battle
Leaders should prioritize building positive relationships over winning every argument. It’s important to choose battles wisely and recognize that winning at the expense of relationships can be detrimental in the long run.
#5 Taking Responsibility for Change
Goldsmith emphasizes personal responsibility for change. Leaders should take ownership of their behavior and actively work on improving themselves rather than blaming external factors.
#6 Letting Go of the Past
Holding onto past successes or failures can hinder personal and professional growth. Leaders should focus on the present and future, particularly letting go of what worked in the past but may not be relevant anymore.
#7 Building a Support System
Find mentors and coaches who can provide valuable insights and assistance in your leadership journey.
#8 Apologizing and Seeking Forgiveness
Leaders should be willing to apologize when they make mistakes and seek forgiveness when those mistakes impact others. This not only demonstrates humility but also fosters a positive and trusting team environment.
#9 Continuous Learning
Successful leaders are lifelong learners. They should embrace change, be open to new ideas, and continuously seek opportunities to grow and develop.
#10 The Power of Feedforward
Goldsmith introduces the concept of “feedforward,” which involves seeking suggestions for the future rather than only getting feedback on the past. This forward-looking approach can be very constructive and conducive to improvement.
Overall, the book encourages leaders to be self-aware, open to feedback, and proactive in their personal development. By recognizing and addressing their own limitations, leaders can cultivate positive relationships, foster growth, and achieve sustained success.
In addition to my 10 key take-aways, Goldsmith includes in his book the 20 habits that hold leaders back from getting to the top. It’s definitely worth the read!