Many professionals have found resonance in Marshall Goldsmith’s book “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”. At its heart, the book drives home a fundamental truth – the behaviours and strategies that spurred our past successes aren’t always the same ones that will lead to future growth.
This idea is not just pivotal in leadership behaviours; it’s also crucial in operations management.
In the early stages of a business, a flexible and often ad-hoc approach to operations can be beneficial. Prompt decision-making, a lean team, and a less structured environment allow startups to pivot easily and capture opportunities. However, as a business grows, this very flexibility can become its Achilles’ heel. The lack of standardized processes, a clear data-driven strategy, and integrated technological solutions can hinder scalability.
This is precisely where the adage “what got you here won’t get you there” rings true. Just as leaders need to introspect and shed counterproductive habits, businesses must evolve their operational practices. The informal communication methods, the basic tools, and manual interventions that once served the business might become bottlenecks in the face of increasing demands.
Transitioning to the next level requires a structured approach. Investing in robust operations management, streamlining workflows, integrating technology, and leveraging data becomes non-negotiable. Such steps ensure that as the business environment becomes more complex, the company remains agile, resilient, and customer-centric.
This evolution is not just about tools and technologies. It’s about fostering a culture that values continuous improvement, one where teams are empowered with the right information and tools to make insightful decisions.
Understanding when to transition operational strategies is as crucial as recognising when to evolve personal behaviours. Just as Goldsmith’s book encourages leaders to let go of what doesn’t serve them, businesses must also shed outdated operational practices. In doing so, they lay the foundation for sustainable growth and continued success.