What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There
Marshall Goldsmith’s book What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There is a must-read for anyone trying to take their leadership game to the next level. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about personal growth. I think it’s also the perfect playbook for businesses looking to scale. Why? Because the same habits that help a company thrive in the early days often become the exact things that hold it back later on.
Let’s get real for a second: scaling a business isn’t easy. It’s not just about working harder or growing faster. It’s about working smarter, focusing better, and learning to let go of what’s not serving you anymore. And that’s where Goldsmith’s ideas hit home.
The Trap of Early Success
What works when you’re just launching a business—the hustle, the scrappiness, the “whatever it takes” attitude—can quickly become a problem as you grow. Early success can trick you into thinking you’ve found a magic formula, but in reality: those same tactics often create chaos, bottlenecks, and burnout teams when it’s time to scale.
The Big Three Issues Holding Companies Back
So, what are the biggest roadblocks to successfully scaling a business? There are plenty, but let’s focus on the three big ones that EVERY company will have to solve for:
- Ineffective Prioritization
- In the early days, everything feels like a priority, and that’s fine because you’re just trying to survive. But as you grow, not everything can be a priority. Companies that fail to properly identify what really matters will end up spreading themselves too thin. The result? A lot of effort with not much to show for it.
- Scattered Focus
- It’s not just about choosing the wrong priorities; it’s also about chasing too many things at once. Whether it’s launching too many new products, entering too many markets, or jumping on every shiny new idea that has revenue potential, scattered focus kills momentum. Staying disciplined and aligned is critical if you want to scale.
- Inconsistent Execution
- Poor prioritization and scattered focus naturally lead to inconsistent execution. Teams don’t know where to direct their energy, projects get started but not finished, and the whole operation starts to feel like it’s spinning its wheels. Consistent execution is what separates companies that scale from those that don’t.
How to Break Free and Scale Smarter
Goldsmith’s lessons are like a wake-up call for businesses stuck in these traps. Here are some ways his ideas can help your company level up:
- Get Clear on Priorities
- Just like Goldsmith tells leaders to focus on changing specific behaviors, businesses need to zero in on their top priorities. What’s going to drive the most impact? What’s a distraction? I’m a big fan of tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to create a system-driven way to force clarity and alignment.
- Say No to Scattered Focus
- Cut out what’s not serving your goals and double down on what is. Remember, saying “no or not yet” to some opportunities allows you to say “yes” to the right ones.
- Build Consistent Execution
- Systems and processes aren’t glamorous, but they’re what make scaling possible. Create structures that ensure your team knows what to do, when to do it, and how to measure success. Consistency wins.
Let’s Talk About Feedback Loops
Goldsmith’s all about feedback, and businesses should be, too. If you’re not listening to your customers, your team, and your market, you’re flying blind. Regular feedback loops keep you grounded and help you course-correct before things go off the rails.
Moving Forward
The biggest takeaway from What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There? Growth requires change. If you’re holding onto old habits, systems, or mindsets that got you to this point, ask yourself: are they going to take you where you want to go next? Scaling isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter, focusing better, and evolving to meet the demands of the future. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.