What Got Us Here, Won’t Get Us There

Here early in 2025, we stand at a pivotal crossroads. The world we once knew, shaped by steady growth, predictable frameworks, and conventional wisdom, is rapidly dissolving under the pressure of profound disruptions: economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and societal frustrations. Tariffs loom, conflicts escalate, markets tremble, and divisions deepen. Yet, amid all this chaos, lies an unprecedented invitation:

We have the opportunity, and responsibility, to reshape our world.

Marshall Goldsmith articulated brilliantly in his influential book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, that past successes do not guarantee future growth. This is no longer merely insightful advice, it’s now an urgent call to action. The leadership methods, practices, and coaching modalities that once guided us successfully through calmer waters simply aren’t designed to navigate the turbulence we now face.

At Full Spectrum Leadership, we’ve always understood that true leadership transcends methods and techniques, it’s rooted deeply in our willingness to evolve consciously, embrace responsibility fully, and model the kind of decency, honor, and acceptance we aspire to see reflected in the world around us.

This is the moment to shift the lens inward.

Why Traditional Leadership Models Fall Short Now

Traditional leadership models often prioritize structured, formulaic solutions. These methods excel in predictable environments. But when chaos, uncertainty, and emotional turbulence take center stage, conventional approaches become quickly overwhelmed and ineffective.

To reach “there”, a place of sustained growth, harmony, and meaningful impact, leaders must transcend conventional boundaries. They must embrace adaptability, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to conscious evolution.

Full Spectrum Leadership Meets Marshall Goldsmith’s Insight

Integrating Marshall Goldsmith’s powerful message, that our previous strengths and strategies might now become barriers, with our Full Spectrum Leadership Framework, we create an extraordinary synergy:

  • Personal Responsibility: Embracing our role in shaping outcomes rather than blaming external circumstances.
  • Relational Consciousness: Prioritizing authentic, compassionate connections as the cornerstone for meaningful influence and societal healing.
  • Internal Sovereignty: Understanding and claiming personal mastery, navigating uncertainty with internal steadiness rather than external dependency.
  • Conscious Adaptability: Developing the agility to adapt swiftly without compromising integrity or values.

Being the Change We Seek

The chaos around us is not just a problem, it’s a mirror, reflecting back our opportunities for growth and transformation. Every challenge presents a choice: we can react from fear, frustration, and limitation, or respond from a position of clarity, confidence, and conviction.

If we genuinely want honor, decency, and acceptance to prevail, we must consciously embody these qualities. It is our behavior, our decisions, and our interactions, especially under pressure, that truly define us as leaders and influencers.

  • Honor shows in how we respect and empower those around us, even amidst disagreement or disruption.
  • Decency manifests through acts of compassion and integrity, especially when it is hardest.
  • Acceptance thrives when we approach differences with curiosity rather than defensiveness, fostering dialogues that build rather than divide.

Taking Meaningful Action – Now

Change isn’t theoretical; it’s practical and immediate. Here’s how you can embody this call:

  1. Reflect on your current approach: Honestly assess which behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs are no longer serving you or your organization.
  2. Recommit to personal growth: Identify new skills or mindsets necessary for leading in this complex, uncertain environment.
  3. Engage differently: Choose every interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate honor, decency, and acceptance, particularly when confronted with conflict or resistance.

You Have the Power

Remember: Leadership is not about waiting for circumstances to align with our preferences; it’s about actively creating the conditions that allow our highest values to flourish. We must step confidently beyond outdated methodologies and rigid formulas, trusting instead in our own capacity to learn, adapt, and evolve.

Now is the time to leverage our experience, imagination, and creativity. Let us consciously build a path forward that honors our past yet bravely steps toward a future of resilience, respect, and lasting impact.

At Full Spectrum Leadership, we’re committed to walking this journey with you. Together, let’s consciously create the leadership our world so urgently needs.

Let’s Keep Talking!

Peter Comrie
Co-Founder and Human Capital Specialist at Full Spectrum Leadership Inc.
Reach out to me at peter@fullspectrumleadership.com

Or connect with me here to book a call!

Reach me on Linkedin; https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercomrie/

We can also chat on Bluesky: @petercomrie.bsky.social     

Tags: #FullSpectrumLeadership #LeadershipInChaos #BeTheChange #AdaptAndThrive #Peter Comrie

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