Stanford MBA school professor Jeffrey Pfeffer looked at the research on success and power along with studying the lives of such high achievers as LBJ andRobert Moses.
He identified six traits that were keys to success :
Keys To Success #1: Energy And Physical Stamina
Few mention this but it’s really vital.
As I’ve posted multiple times before, high achievers work relentlessly. And to do that, you must have the energy.
Keys To Success #2: Focus
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Sounds generic but Pfeffer cites the example of a young LBJ turning down a lucrative oil investment because he knew, down the road, being allied with oil companies could hurt his chance at sitting in the oval office.
He was thinking way ahead and making decisions aligned with his goals.
Successful CEO’s tend to stay in one industry and at one company because energy is not diverted and a strong base is established.
Keys To Success #3: Sensitivity To Others
Knowing what others want and how to best communicate with them is powerful.
But Pfeffer is quick to distinguish between recognition of others’ needs and actually fulfilling them.
The first is essential, the second, well — that’s a matter of negotiation.
Keys To Success #4: Flexibility
Here’s where it gets more Machiavellian.
(And lest you interpret that the wrong way, remember that Machiavelli was not an evil man – he was a historian who said looking at the past, here’s what works and what doesn’t.)
Pfeffer notes that flexibility — changing your position — can confer a great deal of power because it allows you to tailor your presentation, pivot when things aren’t working, and acquire necessary allies.
Keys To Success #5: Ability To Tolerate Conflict
If you back down every time it looks like a fight is coming, well, you’re not going to win many fights.
Sometimes fighting is necessary. And just having others know you’re willing to fight can pay major dividends.
Keys To Success #6: Submerging One’s Ego And Getting Along
Just as being toothless is bad business, so is fighting all the time. Alliances and allies are far more likely to be beneficial on an everyday basis.
Ego can be a huge enemy even when you know what the smart move is.
It is a great advantage to be able to swallow your pride and lose the battle in order to win the war.