Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy – President of the U.S.
I like books that ‘tell it like it is.’ No sugar coating risks and bad behaviors. Marshall Goldsmith – the consummate executive coach – came up with the 20 self management habits that will stop you from getting here to there:
- Habit #1: Winning too much.
- Habit #2: Adding too much value.
- Habit #3: Passing judgment.
- Habit #4: Making destructive comments.
- Habit #5: Starting with ‘No,’ ‘But,’ or ‘However.’
- Habit #6: Telling the world how smart you are.
- Habit #7: Speaking when angry.
- Habit #8: Negativity, or ‘Let me explain why that won’t work.’
- Habit #9: Withholding information.
- Habit #10: Failing to give proper recognition.
- Habit #11: Claiming credit that you don’t deserve.
- Habit #12: Making excuses.
- Habit #13: Clinging to the past.
- Habit #14: Playing favorites.
- Habit #15: Refusing to express regret.
- Habit #16: Not listening.
- Habit #17: Failing to express gratitude.
- Habit #18: Punishing the messenger.
- Habit #19: Passing the buck.
- Habit #20: An excessive need to be me.
Work Lesson Earned: Great list, but a little dated. A few things are missing from the list: No me-too sensitivity! Lack of personal hygiene. Bad habits. Sex with subordinates. Regardless, buy, read, underline, and apply What Got You Here – Won’t Get You There. Then, ask your best friend and may be harshest critic – your significant other – to rate you on each of the above habits. It’ll be eye opening! There’re lots of personal lessons learned. Did I do it with my wife? Yes. Did I like it? No!