Success Traits

The top five traits of most success are Grit, Saying No, Creative Communication, Demonstrating Humility, and Following to Lead. This post is going to touch briefly on each of this topics.

-GRIT

Ever heard that grit (sticking to it) is the leading characteristic of success? It is, and people need to recognize that grit isn't just hard work. There are many people that work hard but sadly don't feel they are successful and certainly aren't acknowledged as such by society.

Grit is a combination of perseverance, passion, and determination. Some people may be naturally disposed to having grit, but it can also be developed and strengthened through life experiences and personal choices. Factors such as childhood experiences, upbringing, cultural background, and personal identity can also play a role in an individual's grit levels.

Those same factors can also be why do many aren't able to stick with it. Many people have never been rewarded for following their passion because they didn't know how to do it. They had never had anyone invested enough in them to help shape their neuroplasticity to see how hard work in areas that others aren't in (aka risk) can pay off.

This means they may have learned to work hard on what they are given to manage to get to a short-term reward. The cycle that develops from this system inhibits individuals from being able to understand that grit is so much more.

I know this because I see it play out in the youth I mentor from the foster system, in addition to the ways businesses operate. If you want greatness out of people, you have to invest time through YOUR grit to demonstrate how it is done. Some people naturally have grit, but most don't.

-SAYING NO
In today's fast-paced world, distractions are everywhere, and it can be difficult to stay focused on what's truly important. One simple solution to this problem is the power of "no." Saying no is a crucial component of success because it helps us maintain focus and avoid distractions, as I discuss in "The Five Letter F Word™."

However, saying no can also be tricky. If not done correctly, it can come across as rude or dismissive and leave others feeling rejected. This is why it's essential to use the word "no" creatively and in a way that helps people understand that it's not about rejecting them, but rather, it's about focusing on what's important.

When we say no, it's a clear indication of what we're not willing to do or what we're not interested in at that time. This helps us stay focused on our goals and priorities and avoid being pulled in different directions. An important key to successfully saying no while maintaining respect for others is extremely clear communication on the priorities and their importance with everyone, as we will talk about next week.

However, saying no can be difficult because it often requires us to disappoint others or miss out on what feels like an emerging opportunity (or crisis). This is why it's important to be creative when saying no. For example, instead of just saying, "No, I can't help you," try saying, "I'm sorry, but I have something else I need to focus on right now because it moves our priorities forward by... Perhaps we can discuss this at another time?" This way, you're not just saying no; you're also offering an alternative and leaving the door open for future opportunities.

By being creative with our wording and offering alternatives, we can maintain focus, avoid distractions, and build strong relationships with those around us. So the next time you're faced with an opportunity or request that doesn't align with your goals and priorities, remember to say no in a way that's both effective and respectful.

Think about the last time you told someone no, and you recognized instantly how that brought the other person down. Your intent wasn't a rejection of the team, the need, the idea, or even the person, but just not the right time.

-CREATIVE COMMUNICATION

There are five keys to remember about communication that we call the 5 C's Calm, Caring, Clear, Concise, and Consistent. When we have mastered those, we are already in a creative communication mode. We recognize our emotions and then can be aware of others. That allows us to clearly designate what we are trying to accomplish in as few words as possible. Those few words portray that everyone has a common understanding of the words used. When we are consistent, just like grit, we become successful in reaching people. That is what success is all about.

-DEMONSTRATE HUMILITY
People support those to whom they can relate. They put energy into those that reciprocate. They forgive when forgiveness and mercy are shown to them. It is what the truly successful do.

The power of HUMility starts with being HUMan. A part of being human is making mistakes. Admit openly when you are wrong. Actively apologize and seek ways to make amends. These actions set the standard to let others know that if they make a mistake to admit it so that the team can move forward to correct it together. You are demonstrating real strength and character when you do this.

This act promotes communication and trust. People don’t have to hide anymore. They can conquer the fear that isolates them by seeing your imperfections and how those imperfections make you more endearing, not an outcast.

-FOLLOWING TO LEAD
Being in control means you are comfortable with having others lead you. It means that your emotions, mental stability, security, and trust are all in balance to be the person in control. When you are in this control state, you know you must let others lead.

Leading is not always about being out front or even being right. In fact, you won’t be right all of the time because you are human.

Leading does mean surrounding yourself with experts that can lead and learn. A leader knows when to empower others to take the direct lead to facilitate what a team needs. Those leaders who can follow actively indicate to the organization that they are part of the ensemble, building together. They join in to support so that everyone is a success, not just themselves.

It is arguable that if you can't follow and learn from those around you that you aren't a leader for at least two distinct reasons. First, you aren't leading anyone into areas of discomfort where growth occurs because you stay in an area of comfort where you can lead everything. Second, you are in it for your ego, and in those circumstances, there is only room for one, you. To be a leader, you need at least two.