As a leader, you know that ultimately the perception of you is based first and foremost on the results that you achieve. At the same time, some achieve great results while others struggle.
So what makes the achievers stand out?
Real Clarity
One of the things I notice about achievers is that they know where they want to get to. They have a desired end point and a plan of action to get there. By contrast, those with less clarity bob along in a world of vagueness.
Personal Drive
We keep hearing about so called ‘overnight successes’. Yet in reality we know that this is more fiction than fact. Look at some of the most successful people around and a common thing you will see is that it took time and a ton of effort to achieve success on a major scale. They encountered many obstacles along the way but had the drive and persistence to keep going.
They Are Not Afraid To Fail
This is an odd one. Everyone has tried and failed at something. To achieve as a leader you have to get comfortable with trying and knowing that you will have just as many failures, if not more than successes. Or as Edison said, he found out 10,000 ways that did not work before achieving success.
They Build A Team
No one does it all by themselves. It does not matter how good you are; you cannot expand beyond a certain point without a team to support you. This does not mean you are incapable but just a simple fact that you have a limit of 24 hours in any one day.
They Have A Support Team
Being a leader is really lonely. I remember a Partner at Ernst & Young saying this to me when I worked there. The statement did not have much impact but it became clear when I was in a senior role. Be aware and alert to who you need on your support team.
They Have A Way To Recharge
It does not matter who you are; you can only operate at your peak for so long, then you need to recharge. The way in which you recharge will differ from person to person. The key is being alert to the need to recharge and do what works for you.
The Bottom Line: People thrive on achievement and some simple changes can make a huge difference to your success.
Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to become highly effective leaders and managers. He invites you to take advantage of his free audio e-course Leadership Success at www.goalsandachievements.co.uk