I recently had a conversation with a highly successful CEOduring which we exchanged stories regarding what we believed to be the tools necessary for success. Much like me, this individual wasn’t a standout scholar, and the expectation train left him in the dust once he clawed his way into a mid-level college. Notwithstanding, he explained that he was able to work his way to where he was now – an extraordinarily successful CEO – and he reflected on his highly improbable climb to the top of the corporate ladder.
I asked him about his early days of struggling in school and trying to find himself. I asked if he ever imagined a world where he would become a top executive that is highly sought after by numerous Fortune 500 companies. His response was simple anddeadpan, “I never imagined that I would succeed, but I did know that I whatever I did for a living, I would put in the hard work and the time.”
I then pivoted and asked him what he thought were the essential tools needed to succeed. Mr. CEO said he believes in a few very basic truths about finding success:
Work hard
Be polite
Give credit to others
Respond quickly and don’t procrastinate
Keep in touch with friends and colleagues
Act with a sense of urgency
Lower expectations, but strive daily to succeed
Don’t be flashy with your money
Don’t look for the shortcuts
Don’t mess in your marriage as it is costly (beyond the money)
Be positive and avoid toxic people and circumstances
I thought about our conversation, and I attempt here to synthesize what we discussed.
Leadership and success aren’t about perception, it isn’t the title of the office or your surroundings, it is about showing up everyday with an ironclad will to work hard and maintain a daily program where the seeds of success are to be planted, tended to, and allowed to germinate.
Many think that success is a straight line, or that it is moving around from different opportunities or companies. It is neither. You need to work hard and hustle daily. Don’t try to move too fast or be too impatient. Be a long-term prospector with work opportunities and friendships.
Own your mistakes up front and don’t make excuses. Talk less and listen more. Be decisive. Keep your word—it will help you elevate as people will trust you with the little things and eventually the bigger things will follow.
Success means working hard and never letting up on the pedal. Stay hungry, stay curious, and never allow yourself to believe you’ve “made it.” Be intentional about approaching work withjoy. Don’t allow yourself to regard work as a chore. If you love the work, you will want to do it more often.
Keep a balance with family and friends. Be present at your kids’ events. Don’t attend your kid’s basketball game just to work the iPhone to death. And most importantly, never allow devices to surface during family mealtime.
Invest in real relationships and don’t be that person who only calls when something is needed.
Diversify your assets. Live beneath your means and don’t try tokeep up with the Joneses.
Don’t live or die on any one moment, as that moment will come and go. Many of us have experienced crises and high pressuresituations that sometimes tumble into the public and receive attention from the media. If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to remain calm. Don’t let the moment or crisis overcome you and snuff out the leader in you. Focus on efficiently bracing for whatever is coming and the fallout that will inevitably follow. Your crisis will resolve. You will live to see another day. But people will judge you on how you functioned (or failed to) in your moment of unwanted chaos and scrutiny.
Above all, never forget Rule No. 1—leaders lead.
