The Top 10

In the past few weeks the students in my management course presented the whereabouts of a number of successful, widely admired people, to their peers as part of their course requirements.

Among all the stellar like and less majestic names, varying from Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Sir Richard Branson, Jesus (yes, Christ), and Bill Clinton; to Margaret Thatcher, Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Hillary Clinton, Hugh Hefner, Russel Simmons, Arnold Schwarzenegger, P. Diddy, Michael Jordan, and Steve Jobs, there were some interesting commonalities that may be worth mentioning, because they can definitely contribute to a valuable and realistic listing of leadership qualities.

Limiting them to just 10, these are the most significant points of overlapping among the above-mentioned individuals:

1. Humble beginnings: With the exception of Donald Trump, all the abovementioned leaders, no matter how varied in their area of excellence, came from humble backgrounds. Some had troublesome encounters with the law in earlier stages of their lives, and most had a number of failures to their names before they ever reached their current heights of world recognition.

2. Dealing with failure: The majority, if not all, of these individuals faced vigorous downfalls at several points on their way to the top, and dealt with these setbacks in the most effective manner: by learning from them, and continuing their efforts through other channels. Multiple of the names above have withstood humiliating experiences before the world's eyes, but came out on the other side of the tunnel, wiser, and not less motivated.

3. Neglect of boundaries: Just like Russel Simmons stated that he got where he got because he did not know that he could not get there, just so did the others engage themselves in activities that many might have attempted before, yet quit without success. It took the novel mindset of these leaders to go where they were not supposed to go: to the ultimate point of success in their area of specialty.

4. Self Confidence: To the point of blatant arrogance in the eyes of many, these outstanding people believed in their mission, and went for the stars. They may not have believed that they would actually grow out to the established names they finally obtained, and at least one of them, Jesus Christ, did not live long enough to witness the impact he had made on his audience, but the fact remains that their fame could only be possible due to a significant dosage of belief in their selves and the power of their purpose.

5. Intelligence: Not necessarily school-education, since most of these individuals are high school- or college dropouts, but a smartness that transcends the ordinary, and enables them to jump into opportunities that others ignore, or even warn them for, with a vigor that leaves bystanders in awe.

6. Hard work: If intelligence were one part of the coin of these people's success, hard work would have been the other. Like a never emptied battery they went on and on and on. And when all others were enjoying life, they were hustling and bustling to make their dreams come true. Lack of sleep pays off. Ask the self-made person!

7. Inventiveness: If there is one thing these people were not, it was: change-averse. They embraced the changes that happened to them. Better even: they created the changes that happened to all others around them! They realized that nothing works more to one's disadvantage than clinging to the status quo. So they ignited change: in social orders, in the ways certain parts of society were perceived, in common practices, you name it.

8. Horizon expanding: Many of these individuals tried various things or ways of doing what they wanted to do before they ever succeeded. For most it took a long, hard, and strenuous time before they became the perceived "overnight" names in history. Some of them failed so many times that their family members and friends were hoping they'd call it quits. But they refused. And they kept on trying new ways and new actions. Even when their name and fame were established. Many wrote books, or became great advocates for their beliefs. And many took on new challenges, even when the older ones were paying enough to finally take a break.

9. Connection: These individuals were all aware that they would only realize their dreams if they would be willing to lend out a hand and accept one in return. They established networks, and they learned to surround themselves with people whom they could influence and affect with their drive. And they pulled many a soul along on their way to getting themselves established.

10. Social Responsibility: the majority of the above listed names are engaged in various activities that aim towards the betterment of society or a segment thereof. Whether expressed in the form of financial donation, or opportunities to grow, these people have consistently been trying to give something back to the world in a graceful way.

Like any other list, this list, too, can be expanded, but the 10 above presented points are unquestionably striking commonalities between the individuals mentioned, whether they lived 2000 years ago, or are still around; whether they are known for serious business, or for entertainment; whether they are young, old, Black, White, good-looking, or ugly, loved or hated.

And if you, dear reader, can identify with these 10 points, or encounter the will inside to work on them, you too have what it takes to be whatever you want to be. So why not go for it?

Dr. Joan Marques,
Burbank, CA, 11/09/04

About the Author:
Joan Marques emigrated from Suriname, South America, to California, U.S., in 1998. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, a Master's in Business Administration, and is currently a university instructor in Business and Management in Burbank, California. You may visit her web sites at http://www.joanmarques.com  and http://www.spiritcounts.com

 

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