In 2007, Marshall Goldsmith wrote a book titled What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful.
I read the book years ago when making a career transition and would recommend for others to help reframe your approach in a new position.
The concept of the book is that the skills and traits that made you successful in one role are not necessarily the ones that will make you successful in the new role.
You need to rethink the responsibilities of the new position and approach the job with different skills. If you don’t shift, attributes that previously made you successful may instead hold you back.
So, what if we applied this concept more broadly?
My Perspective
The concept of not continuing to do things the way they have always been done can be applied in so many more ways than just transitioning into a new role.
What if we considered the concept with teams and organizations?
What if teams started to rethink their processes and the ways they communicate?
Are they using the best tools and techniques available today or are they following the “norms” that were set decades ago?
What if organizations experimented with different structures – changing job titles, re-evaluating “departments”, or shifting perspectives on where and when work is completed?
Are the structures still relevant or is there an opportunity to reimagine?
Your Turn
Considering your role, team, and organization, what areas could be reimagined?
What are small steps you could take to get started?
Shape the future.
Embrace the concept of what got us here won’t get us there.