Ever found yourself stuck on the career ladder, wondering why the rungs aren't as sturdy as they once were? Our latest podcast episode takes an unflinching look at Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won't Get You There," dissecting the pitfalls of resting on your laurels and the need for continuous personal development. Goldsmith's advice, dressed in tales of high-flying executives, may seem a world away for the everyday professional, but the kernel of truth in his 21 habit-breaking strategies is undeniable. We unpack why the book's potential power is partially eclipsed by an overindulgent narrative, and offer a candid critique of the self-help genre's approach to addressing the very real challenges of leadership and communication.

This week's conversation doesn't stop at book analysis; it's a springboard into the broader ocean of self-improvement. We discuss the hard truths about self-recognition, the prickly thorns of pride, and the heavy lifting required to lead effectively and communicate with impact. And for those eager for our next discussion, we tease the upcoming deep dive into "The Courage to be Disliked," as recommended by our fellow member Josh – with hopes pinned on a narrative that promises to be as engaging as it is insightful. Tune in to hear our reflections, critiques, and expectations as we navigate the choppy waters of professional growth and personal achievement.

1. Winning too much: The need to win at all costs and in all situations -- when it matters, when it doesn't, and when it's totally beside the point.
2. Adding too much value: The overwhelming desire to add our two cents to every discussion.
3. Passing judgment: The need to rate others and impose our standards on them.
4. Making destructive comments: The needless sarcasms and cutting remarks that we think make us sound sharp and witty.
5. Starting with "No," "But," or "However": The overuse of these negative qualifiers which secretly say to everyone, "I'm right. You're wrong."
6. Telling the world how smart we are: The need to show people we're smarter than they think we are.
7. Speaking when angry: Using emotional volatility as a management tool.
8. Negativity, or "Let me explain why that won't work": The need to share our negative thoughts even when we weren't asked.
9. Withholding information: The refusal to share information in order to maintain an advantage over others.
10. Failing to give proper recognition: The inability to praise and reward.
11. Claiming credit that we don't deserve: The most annoying way to overestimate our contribution to any success.
12. Making excuses: The need to reposition our annoying behavior as a permanent fixture so people excuse us for it.
13. Clinging to the past: The need to deflect blame away from ourselves and onto events and people from our past; a subset of blaming everyone else.
14. Playing favorites: Failing to see that we are treating someone unfairly.
15. Refusing to express regret: The inability to take responsibility for our actions, admit we're wrong, or recognize how our actions affect others.
16. Not listening: The most passive-aggressive form of disrepsect for colleagues.
17. Failing to express gratitude: the most basic form of bad manners.
18. Punishing the messenger: The misguided need to attack the innocent who are usually only trying to help us.
19. Passing the buck: The need to blame everyone but ourselves.
20. An excessive need to be "me": Exalting our faults as virtues simply because they're who we are.
21. Goal obsession: Getting so wrapped up in achieving our goal that we do it at the expense of a larger mission.