Successful Entropenuer or CEO
Harvard University set out to identify the specific attributes that make high-performing CEO’s unique and successful. They created a study called the CEO Genome Project. After partnering with University of Chicago and Copenhagen Business School, they were able to tap into a database with over 17,000 executives and 2,000 CEOs. The study found four behavioral attributes that are necessary to make a successful CEO after “shifting through information, looking for what distinguished candidates who got hired as CEOs from those who didn’t, and those who excelled in the role from those who underperformed.”
1. The first thing that set them apart was the ability to decide with speed and conviction. The study found that those who are decisive were 12 times more likely to be a high performing CEO. Out of the executives who were poorly rated on their decisiveness, 94% were rated poorly because they decided too little and too late. A decisive CEO remembers that a wrong decision is better than no decision at all. According Jerry Bowe, the CEO of private-label manufacturer Vi-Jon, “Once I have 65% certainty around the answer, I have to make a call.”
2. The second unique trait is the idea of engaging for impact. What this means is getting deep insight into the steakholder’s priorities and needs followed with an unrelenting focus on delivering business results. This is far more important than being liked or protecting the team from painful decisions. In fact, both these behaviors are some of the most common among low performing CEO’s. Rather, skilled CEO’s give their team confidence that they will lead their team to success even if it involves uncomfortable or unpopular moves and conflict. In fact, some of the strongest CEO’s in the world are known for their willingness to engage in conflict. According to the study, “CEOs who deftly engaged stakeholders with this results orientation were 75% more successful in their role.”
3. The third behavior that is commonly seen among high performing CEOs is the ability to adapt proactively. CEOs who are able to adapt to a changing environment were seen as 6.7 times more likely to succeed. Dominic Barton, global managing partner of McKinsey & Company, said: “It’s dealing with situations that are not in the playbook. As a CEO you are constantly faced with situations where a playbook simply cannot exist. You’d better be ready to adapt.” This trait also involves viewing a wide variety of networks and diverse sources of data, fishing out information that might seem irrelevant at first glance, and making strategic moves to take advantage of their findings. Being adaptable also means being okay with setbacks. Those who considered setbacks to be failures had 50% less likely chance of excelling.
4. The fourth of the successful behaviors is delivering reliability. According to the study, “CEO candidates who scored high on reliability were twice as likely to be picked for the role and 15 times more likely to succeed in it.” Continually, among strong CEO candidates, 94% were known to consistently follow through with commitments. It is very important for new eager CEO’s to set up realistic expectations through planning rather than hoping right in to execution mode.
1. The first thing that set them apart was the ability to decide with speed and conviction. The study found that those who are decisive were 12 times more likely to be a high performing CEO. Out of the executives who were poorly rated on their decisiveness, 94% were rated poorly because they decided too little and too late. A decisive CEO remembers that a wrong decision is better than no decision at all. According Jerry Bowe, the CEO of private-label manufacturer Vi-Jon, “Once I have 65% certainty around the answer, I have to make a call.”
2. The second unique trait is the idea of engaging for impact. What this means is getting deep insight into the steakholder’s priorities and needs followed with an unrelenting focus on delivering business results. This is far more important than being liked or protecting the team from painful decisions. In fact, both these behaviors are some of the most common among low performing CEO’s. Rather, skilled CEO’s give their team confidence that they will lead their team to success even if it involves uncomfortable or unpopular moves and conflict. In fact, some of the strongest CEO’s in the world are known for their willingness to engage in conflict. According to the study, “CEOs who deftly engaged stakeholders with this results orientation were 75% more successful in their role.”
3. The third behavior that is commonly seen among high performing CEOs is the ability to adapt proactively. CEOs who are able to adapt to a changing environment were seen as 6.7 times more likely to succeed. Dominic Barton, global managing partner of McKinsey & Company, said: “It’s dealing with situations that are not in the playbook. As a CEO you are constantly faced with situations where a playbook simply cannot exist. You’d better be ready to adapt.” This trait also involves viewing a wide variety of networks and diverse sources of data, fishing out information that might seem irrelevant at first glance, and making strategic moves to take advantage of their findings. Being adaptable also means being okay with setbacks. Those who considered setbacks to be failures had 50% less likely chance of excelling.
4. The fourth of the successful behaviors is delivering reliability. According to the study, “CEO candidates who scored high on reliability were twice as likely to be picked for the role and 15 times more likely to succeed in it.” Continually, among strong CEO candidates, 94% were known to consistently follow through with commitments. It is very important for new eager CEO’s to set up realistic expectations through planning rather than hoping right in to execution mode.
Successful Professional Athlete
When it comes to being the best of the best, the world of sports is one full of never ending competition. So, how did those select few get to the stage of becoming a professional? Although several behavioral traits are involved in becoming a successful professional athlete, there are four unique traits that the best athletes in the world share according to Don Yaeger who has built a career on studying the world’s greatest athletes. Dan Yaeger is a New York Times best selling author and former Sports Illustrated journalist who has met countless of the best athletes and coaches across the world.
1. The first thing that sets them apart is the ability to stay humble. This allows even the best to make critical assessments of themselves and constantly seek self-improvement.
2. The second is that they seek feedback daily. Even though they are the best, they still can learn from both their coaches and the public. This skill allows them to become better professionally as well as personally.
3. The third trait is the mindset of starting at zero everyday. This mindset of “keeping yesterday's achievements in the past” allows them to have a focussed and humble mindset for every game or challenge they face.
4. The final unique trait is that the best athletes have an unquenchable thirst for learning. Whether its learning new running techniques, plays to outsmart the competition, or simply a new diet, learning allows the best athletes to stay dynamic and unpredictable.
Some other traits that are not necessarily “unique” but still incredibly important for an athlete to possess include: self-confidence, strong sense of motivation, inner desire to succeed, ability to set goals, discipline, optimism, sense of belonging (team), leadership, openness to criticism, humility, stress management, low- anxiety, sense of focus (honing in), ability to trust the process, ability to learn from setbacks, vulnerability, perfectionism, killer instinct, willingness to fight, and appreciation. Lastly, studies from Moscow State University stress the importance of the coach-athlete relationship. After examining the socio-psychological characteristics of both the coach and the athlete, the importance of relying on one another, having expectations for one another, and having a strong bond between each other was found to lead to high levels of success in sports activity.
1. The first thing that sets them apart is the ability to stay humble. This allows even the best to make critical assessments of themselves and constantly seek self-improvement.
2. The second is that they seek feedback daily. Even though they are the best, they still can learn from both their coaches and the public. This skill allows them to become better professionally as well as personally.
3. The third trait is the mindset of starting at zero everyday. This mindset of “keeping yesterday's achievements in the past” allows them to have a focussed and humble mindset for every game or challenge they face.
4. The final unique trait is that the best athletes have an unquenchable thirst for learning. Whether its learning new running techniques, plays to outsmart the competition, or simply a new diet, learning allows the best athletes to stay dynamic and unpredictable.
Some other traits that are not necessarily “unique” but still incredibly important for an athlete to possess include: self-confidence, strong sense of motivation, inner desire to succeed, ability to set goals, discipline, optimism, sense of belonging (team), leadership, openness to criticism, humility, stress management, low- anxiety, sense of focus (honing in), ability to trust the process, ability to learn from setbacks, vulnerability, perfectionism, killer instinct, willingness to fight, and appreciation. Lastly, studies from Moscow State University stress the importance of the coach-athlete relationship. After examining the socio-psychological characteristics of both the coach and the athlete, the importance of relying on one another, having expectations for one another, and having a strong bond between each other was found to lead to high levels of success in sports activity.
Successful Doctor
1. Strong Communicators- Dr. John Madden, an Emergency Physician and Director of the Office of Career Guidance and Student Development at St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, said, "Being a good listener is critical to being a good doctor. Patients will tell you what’s wrong if you just let them speak.”
2. Ability to be Organized and Conscientious- The small details can be the difference between someone living and dying.
3. Ability to Make Patients feel Cared For- “Patients care more that their doctor actually cares for them than how many papers they've published,” says Dr. Edna Ma. “Caring can be in the form of active listening and asking open-ended questions.”
4. Curiosity- They should have an inherent curiosity that drives them to discover and give an accurate diagnosis, even if it means tapping into a variety of resources.
5. Ability to Work With Others- It is absolutely vital for a doctor to be able to communicate with specialists, surgeons, nurses, and more.
6. Ability to Advocate for Patients- A successful doctor’s goal should be to help their patients with whatever healthcare needs they have.This could be anything from finding specialists, or acquiring the prescriptions they need.
7. Having a Strong Bedside Manner- “What separates a good physician from a great one is their bedside manner,” Dr. Madden says. “Physicians should be personable, great listeners, and empathetic to the concerns of their patients. They should not be condescending or arrogant. They should treat others as they want to be treated.”
2. Ability to be Organized and Conscientious- The small details can be the difference between someone living and dying.
3. Ability to Make Patients feel Cared For- “Patients care more that their doctor actually cares for them than how many papers they've published,” says Dr. Edna Ma. “Caring can be in the form of active listening and asking open-ended questions.”
4. Curiosity- They should have an inherent curiosity that drives them to discover and give an accurate diagnosis, even if it means tapping into a variety of resources.
5. Ability to Work With Others- It is absolutely vital for a doctor to be able to communicate with specialists, surgeons, nurses, and more.
6. Ability to Advocate for Patients- A successful doctor’s goal should be to help their patients with whatever healthcare needs they have.This could be anything from finding specialists, or acquiring the prescriptions they need.
7. Having a Strong Bedside Manner- “What separates a good physician from a great one is their bedside manner,” Dr. Madden says. “Physicians should be personable, great listeners, and empathetic to the concerns of their patients. They should not be condescending or arrogant. They should treat others as they want to be treated.”
Successful Teacher
1. Ability to be Organized and Clear- delivering the lesson clearly, well prepared to deliver lessons on a daily basis, making difficult topics easy, using memorable examples, analogies, and metaphors, and establishing a context for the material.
2. Ability to Teach in an Analytic and Synthetic Manner- contrasts various methods for solving and theories, teaches students about the past, present, future directions, and the origins of ideas and concepts, and discussing viewpoints other than their own.
3. Enthusiastic and Dynamic Personality- clearly enjoys teaching, shows a love for the topics, and has self-confidence when teaching.
4. An Ability to Interact with Students- encourages criticism, uses humor effectively, encourages independent thought, ability to public speak well, has an understanding of the student’s motivation and interest in a topic, and is concerned about the quality of their teaching.
5. Taking the Time to Individually Interact With Students- very approachable and friendly to all students, encourages students to meet if they are confused, has time open to meet with students, and is able to give advice to students on unrelated topics.
2. Ability to Teach in an Analytic and Synthetic Manner- contrasts various methods for solving and theories, teaches students about the past, present, future directions, and the origins of ideas and concepts, and discussing viewpoints other than their own.
3. Enthusiastic and Dynamic Personality- clearly enjoys teaching, shows a love for the topics, and has self-confidence when teaching.
4. An Ability to Interact with Students- encourages criticism, uses humor effectively, encourages independent thought, ability to public speak well, has an understanding of the student’s motivation and interest in a topic, and is concerned about the quality of their teaching.
5. Taking the Time to Individually Interact With Students- very approachable and friendly to all students, encourages students to meet if they are confused, has time open to meet with students, and is able to give advice to students on unrelated topics.
Successful Lawyer
1. Good Communication Skills- This consists of being orally articulate to deliver convincing arguments, write clearly and persuasively for legal documents, and have good listening skills to hear every detail from their clients or follow a complicated testimony.
2. Judgement- It is essential to draw logical conclusions and reasonable assumptions even with a limited amount of information. Being critical and finding a weakness in the opponent's testimony is also critical.
3. Analytical Skills- A lawyer must be able to receive large amounts of information, break it apart into manageable amounts, and factor out the useful information that they can use.
4. Research Skills- quick and effective research is vital for not only understanding the client, but creating legal strategies as well.
5. People Skills- In order to be successful at their job, a lawyer must be personable, convincing, and able to read others (ex.gauging the juror’s reaction and reliability of a witness.
6. Perseverance- Just to become a lawyer, one must have to get an undergraduate degree, LPC, a training contract, and a vacation scheme or some type of work experience.
7. Creativity- The most successful lawyers need to be more than logical and analytical. They must be creative in order to find the solutions that are sometimes hidden. Creativity is also key to outmaneuvering your opponent.
2. Judgement- It is essential to draw logical conclusions and reasonable assumptions even with a limited amount of information. Being critical and finding a weakness in the opponent's testimony is also critical.
3. Analytical Skills- A lawyer must be able to receive large amounts of information, break it apart into manageable amounts, and factor out the useful information that they can use.
4. Research Skills- quick and effective research is vital for not only understanding the client, but creating legal strategies as well.
5. People Skills- In order to be successful at their job, a lawyer must be personable, convincing, and able to read others (ex.gauging the juror’s reaction and reliability of a witness.
6. Perseverance- Just to become a lawyer, one must have to get an undergraduate degree, LPC, a training contract, and a vacation scheme or some type of work experience.
7. Creativity- The most successful lawyers need to be more than logical and analytical. They must be creative in order to find the solutions that are sometimes hidden. Creativity is also key to outmaneuvering your opponent.
Successful Pastor
1. They Have Genuine Enthusiasm- This is the type of enthusiasm that come from the heart and is contagious. It extends far beyond just their lessons or chapels, and involves passion for their church, families, and ministries. It evident that they have a drive and desire to make a difference in others'.
2. Great Listening Skills- They clearly want to hear your stories and make you feel special. Most importantly, they want you to feel heard. Sometimes, listening to someone’s story is the first step towards making an impact in their life.
3. Their Identity is Not Their Vocation- There is no ladder to success like in most jobs. Their reward is not monetary, as it comes from serving the Lord. Because their identity is in Christ, they are not trying to manipulate their way up the job ladder to earn a better salary.
4. They are Intentional About Personal Witnessing- Pastors choose to do the “Great Commision” because they love to. They make it a priority to share the gospel with anyone who will listen.
5. They Possess an Unconditional Love for their Critics- Pastor’s sometimes allow their abilities to be limited because they are nervous to receive criticism. Successful pastors, however, welcome criticism and view it as an opportunity to instill a relationship with God to someone who does not have one already.
6. Possessing a Gentle Spirit- In today’s social media heavy world, negativity has become a staple in modern day society. This is true even in churches. Pastors need to have a level of gentleness that comes only from the Spirit.
7. They Persevere- A strong minister knows the importance of pushing through even after being hurt or discouraged. Thinking of Jesus as an example inspires them to keep spreading God’s word on a day to day basis. They know the importance of their ministry work, and are willing to work through emotional fatigue.
2. Great Listening Skills- They clearly want to hear your stories and make you feel special. Most importantly, they want you to feel heard. Sometimes, listening to someone’s story is the first step towards making an impact in their life.
3. Their Identity is Not Their Vocation- There is no ladder to success like in most jobs. Their reward is not monetary, as it comes from serving the Lord. Because their identity is in Christ, they are not trying to manipulate their way up the job ladder to earn a better salary.
4. They are Intentional About Personal Witnessing- Pastors choose to do the “Great Commision” because they love to. They make it a priority to share the gospel with anyone who will listen.
5. They Possess an Unconditional Love for their Critics- Pastor’s sometimes allow their abilities to be limited because they are nervous to receive criticism. Successful pastors, however, welcome criticism and view it as an opportunity to instill a relationship with God to someone who does not have one already.
6. Possessing a Gentle Spirit- In today’s social media heavy world, negativity has become a staple in modern day society. This is true even in churches. Pastors need to have a level of gentleness that comes only from the Spirit.
7. They Persevere- A strong minister knows the importance of pushing through even after being hurt or discouraged. Thinking of Jesus as an example inspires them to keep spreading God’s word on a day to day basis. They know the importance of their ministry work, and are willing to work through emotional fatigue.