Keys to success: 6 traits the most successful and influential people in the world

Lecturer at Stanford graduate school of business Jeffrey Pfeffer conducted its own study, which attempted to identify common traits of the most influential and successful people in the world.

He identified six traits that Pfeffer called “keys to success”.

And it is not just singled out the qualities that had all the successful people he was looking for features that are present have a strong, prominent personalities and at the same time almost absent from those who have achieved in life less.

We present the main conclusions of this work – six “keys” that open door leading to success.

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Source: mixstuff.ru

1. Key one: Energy and physical endurance

Few think about it, but it's really important.

Successful people work a lot, and for this, of course, you need energy.

Exploring the lifestyle of top managers in the industry, it was discovered that many of them work 60-65 hours a week, which corresponds to a minimum of six ten-hour work days. Ability and willingness to work grueling features many strong people. Energy and strength has many benefits for those who want to achieve success and power.

First, it helps them to overcome the resistance, and secondly, a lot of hard work to circumvent the superior intelligence or experience of the competitors. And finally, thirdly, energy and endurance – a good role model who can inspire people around you to serious work.

2. Key two: Focus

Sounds vague, but Pfeffer cites the example of a young Lyndon Johnson, who gave up a lucrative investment in the oil business, knowing that in the future the relationship with the oil companies can lower his chances of election.

In his discussion, he looked far ahead and made decisions in accordance with their goals.

Successful CEO tends to stay in the same industry, and even better in one company, because thus the energy focuses on one thing and gradually produced a strong position.

In the analysis of 15 successful Directors, it was discovered that they all seek to concentrate their opportunities within one industry and one company. Thus, management is not in fact General and particular experience, achieved by concentration on a narrow segment of the business problems, help in obtaining political support and achieving success. Concentrating his career in a particular area and mainly in the same organization, you are spreading your energy and your attention given to a narrow circle of problems.

3. Key three: Participation

Your strength is in understanding what you want the surrounding and the ability to build communication with them.

However, Pfeffer distinguishes between concepts such as knowledge of the needs of others and the ability to satisfy them.

First – definitely important, the second is still controversial.

In order to influence others, it is very useful to be able to understand them, their relationship and interests. However, it should be clear that to take an interest in others does not necessarily mean defending their interests. Participation simply means understanding who are the people around you, what is their position, and how best to communicate with them and influence them.

4. Key four: Flexibility

There is already smacks of Machiavellianism.

However, in order not to think that this is the wrong way to go, remember that Machiavelli was not a man of evil, and the historian who drew the conclusion about what works and what doesn't looking back on past experience.

Pfeffer notes that flexibility can give a huge power, because it allows you to take your idea and reference point, when something does not work and to find suitable partners.

Participation is worth nothing if you can't use this information in order to adjust their actions. Although flexibility sometimes carries a negative meaning, it is a very important trait for those who hope to gain power. It provides the opportunity to change course and use new approaches, instead of clinging to actions which are not working. Flexibility also helps to acquire allies, since it is easier to change approaches, adapting to other interests.

5. The fifth key: the Ability not to avoid conflict

If you pull back every time there is a battle that you definitely will not win many battles.

Sometimes the struggle is necessary. And even if others will simply know that you are ready to fight, can bring good dividends.

Because the need for power arises only under conditions of disagreement, one of the attributes of influential people is the willingness to participate in the conflict. Softness and pliability might win you the sympathy of colleagues, but it is not necessarily the one who people like more than others, will be the most influential or will reach any particular heights.

6. The sixth key: the Ability to suppress your ego

Not to show teeth is bad, but fighting all the time isn't good enough. Permanent and long-term allies the most profitable.

The ego can play with you bad joke, even if you know that everything is going as it should.

The big advantage – the ability to suppress your pride and sometimes to lose a battle in order to win the war.

Sometimes it is very important to fight, to be tough, to force competitors to pay for something that they chose to go their own way instead of doing what you want. Sometimes it is important to create a Union built on friendship, and this, perhaps some things will have to accept. It often happens that influential people have the ability to change their behaviour in relation to the case. Humility, friendly unions, expanding the circle of supporters, all this sometimes prevents our ego. Thus, the last feature that accompanies the acquisition of power, have the ability to suppress his ego for the sake of achieving the goal.