That phrase is usually applied to organizations that started and thrived down one path. Lately, I’ve been looking in the mirror to remind myself about what got me here … how about you?
Transcrpt
“What got you here wont get you where you want to go” — that phrase is usually applied to businesses; especially organizations that started in one path, got really good at it, and it now somewhat defines them. So, the guidance is:
What got you here – whatever products or services you originally established yourself with
Won’t get you where you want to go – whatever that “Act 2” … “Next wave” … “2.0” … “aspirational vision” is.
When team members hear about the organization’s next big thing, there is excitement about everything being bigger and bolder. It’s revolutionary – and energizing. But lately, I’ve been looking in the mirror and telling myself:
What got me here … won’t get me … where I want to go.
- For 18 years, I’ve been a scout leader, commissioner, and chaplain. Those roles have been underpinned by being the proud parent of one or more Scouts.
- For 35 years, I’ve been an IT backup, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity dude. I’ve made a career of architecting and preaching about data resiliency, with over a decade of industry research and insights.
Those are just some defining facets of me – think about the facets that define who YOU are today. And then remember:
What got you where you are won’t get you where you want to go.
- When we’re talking about organizational reinvention, everybody gets excited, even though there’ll likely be friction and some resistance to change. That’s outweighed by the grander vision.
- When we look in the mirror and consider personal reimagination, we hesitate – at least I do.
But it’s the same math:
Evolution implies minor incremental improvements to “what got you here”
Revolution is reinvention for the sake of “where you want to go” – at an organizational or a personal level.
It is okay to feel anxious, which can be just the flip side of feeling eager. For both feelings, focus on what the results could be … and then commit to do the work, because …
What got you here … won’t get you where you want to go.
See you next Monday
Jason Buffington .com 
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