What Got You Here Wont Get You There: A Business Perspective

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" serves as a crucial reminder for companies striving to maintain relevance and drive sustainable growth. As markets shift, technologies advance, and consumer expectations evolve, the strategies and practices that once fueled success may now hinder progress. The concept emphasizes that adapting to change, fostering innovation, and recalibrating organizational habits are essential for staying competitive. This article explores how businesses can adopt a forward-looking mindset, identifying outdated approaches and empowering teams to embrace new strategies for lasting success.

“What Got You Here Won't Get You There” is a popular business and leadership book by executive coach Marshall Goldsmith. The book focuses on the idea that the behaviours and strategies that helped someone achieve success in the past may not be the ones that will help them in the future, especially in higher-level roles. The core principle applies not just to individuals but also to organizations as they navigate dynamic markets, scale operations, and pursue long-term success. From a business perspective, it emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation and behavioral change as businesses grow, evolve, and face new challenges.

Is your business at a crossroad and you are wondering how to get ahead? Well, below, are some insights from the book, arranged in an easy-to-understand format, that can help you to understand what may be going on and the steps you can take to get ahead.

Adaptation to Growth and Change

• What works for a small business, or a startup might not work as the company grows. Processes, leadership styles, and even customer engagement strategies that brought early success often become inadequate as the business scales.
• Businesses need to evolve their systems and leadership practices. This might mean adopting more formal structures, expanding expertise in different areas, or adjusting the company culture to suit a larger organization.

Leadership Development

• As businesses grow, leaders often need to shift from hands-on management to more strategic, high-level leadership. Executives who excel in execution and problem-solving at a lower level may struggle with letting go of control or empowering others to take charge.
• Leaders need to focus on personal development, learning to delegate effectively, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Transitioning from tactical management to visionary leadership requires a different mindset and skill set.

Overcoming Behavioral Blind Spots

• Successful businesses and leaders may develop certain habits that are effective early on but can later become detrimental. For example, perfectionism, micromanagement, or an overemphasis on cost-cutting might have worked in a startup phase but can stifle innovation, teamwork, and agility in a larger company.
• Identifying and shedding these limiting habits is critical. Businesses can use feedback mechanisms, performance reviews, and external consultants to uncover blind spots and encourage behavioural change at both individual and organizational levels.

Customer-Centric Innovation

• Companies that focus too much on refining what has worked in the past may fail to innovate in response to changing customer needs and market conditions. Relying on past strategies may cause stagnation in product development or customer engagement.
• Businesses must remain agile, continuously iterating on customer feedback and investing in new technologies or business models to stay competitive. Regularly revisiting the customer journey and adapting business practices to meet evolving demands is key to maintaining relevance.

Organizational Culture and Employee Engagement

• Companies that experience rapid growth often struggle with maintaining their original culture and employee morale. What worked in a small, tightly knit team may no longer be applicable in a larger, more complex organization.
• Building an adaptive culture that encourages learning, collaboration, and personal accountability becomes crucial. Leaders must focus on communication, transparency, and empowering employees to contribute to the company’s future direction.

Innovation vs. Legacy Systems

• As businesses grow, they often become weighed down by legacy systems—old technologies, processes, or mindsets—that may have been effective but now hinder agility.
• Companies must invest in modernization, both in terms of technology and in reshaping processes and thinking. Leaders need to be open to disruptive ideas and foster a culture of innovation where "what got us here" is constantly questioned.

Strategic Thinking Over Operational Excellence

• While operational efficiency is important for early-stage businesses, focusing solely on day-to-day tasks can limit growth in the long term. Leaders and organizations that continue to focus primarily on operations may miss strategic opportunities.
• Businesses need to focus on long-term strategy and vision. Leaders should step back from purely operational concerns and dedicate time to shaping the company's future, seeking new markets, and investing in long-term capabilities.

Feedback and Learning Loops

• As organizations succeed, there can be a temptation to believe that past methods are the only formula for success, which can stifle openness to feedback or learning from failures.
• Companies must embrace continuous learning and incorporate feedback loops from customers, employees, and market data. Leaders should encourage a growth mindset where failure is seen as a learning opportunity, and adaptability is built into the company's DNA.

In conclusion, in a business environment marked by constant change, the principle "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" serves as a critical call to action. For companies aiming to achieve enduring success, clinging to past achievements or relying solely on time-tested strategies is no longer sufficient. Embracing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptability can empower organizations to navigate new challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. By encouraging flexibility, reassessing old habits, and fostering an openness to change, businesses can evolve with confidence—turning what might be obstacles into powerful stepping stones for future growth and resilience.