Published February 18, 2018

Are You Successful?

“What does it take?”

Most every time I’m with a leader or a highly successful corporate executive, I ask, “What does it take? What are the traits and characteristics that contribute most to your success?”

(A pretty good question, by the way. And it does help stroke the psyche of the person you ask. Try it. “Tell me why you are so successful. What does it take?”)

Over the years, I’ve gathered these 28 bits and pieces I’ve listed below. (If you can add any, let me know.)

1.     High standards of personal ethics (mentioned in almost all interviews)
2.     A person without pettiness
3.     Guts under pressure, resilience in defeat
4.     Brilliant brains (mentioned most often as, “street savvy”)
5.     A capacity for hard work and midnight oil- and enjoy it
6.     Charisma- charm and persuasiveness
7.     A streak of unorthodoxy– (ready to order what’s not on the menu!)
8.     A good listener (mentioned most often)
9.     The courage to make tough decisions
10.     An inspiring enthusiast- with thrust and gusto
11.     A sense of humor
12.     Patient
13.     Impatient (yes, at times you simply have to act)
14.     Self-confident
15.     Think big
16.     Optimistic
17.     Persistent
18.     High energy
19.     Decisive
20.     Take risks (doesn’t fear failure)
21.     A strong faith (but not necessarily a church person)
22.     Resilient
23.     Vision (a dreamer)
24.     Resourceful
25.     Courageous
26.     A creative problem-solver
27.     A lifetime learner (CEO doesn’t stand for “Continuing Education Over!”)
28.     Willing to give credit to others