It’s time to shake the misconception that successful people are more talented or smarter than their less successful peers. Research doesn’t lie, and it consistently returns to one paramount concept: the inner work. The research specifically shows that a growth mindset predicts achievement across socioeconomic levels and that Grit is a stronger predictor of success than conscientiousness, regardless of the population. Successful people’s primary edge is how they respond to, embody, and learn lessons.
The primary inner competencies of highly successful people are spirituality, self-efficacy, grit, adaptability, growth orientation and emotional regulation. To develop spiritual competencies, meditate, volunteer, practice radical compassion and connect with your faith community. According to a global McKinsey Health survey of 41,000 people, positive association with spiritual health was associated with improved physical, mental and social health. To develop self-efficacy, check your narratives, be mindfully aware and remember to be gentle with yourself. In a meta-analysis of 49,464 people, higher overall self-efficacy employees were more likely to provide exceptional customer service and help their colleagues.
Grit accounts for ~4% of the variance in success outcomes for GPA, educational attainment, competitions and retention. “The common denominator of high achievers, no matter what they’re achieving, is this special combination of passion and perseverance for really long-term goals,” said Professor of Psychology Angela Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania. Finding and cultivating passions paired with learning to tolerate discomfort are essential to developing grit.
Adaptability is people’s capacity to adjust their thinking, behavior or approach in response to change. To build adaptability, think of yourself as ‘flexible’ and able to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Showing signs of adaptability early in your career predicts success in income, employability, and promotability.
Growth orientation is developed by stating the main goal, creating long-term and short-term goals and building small steps that lead to those goals being reached. “Decades of research suggest that the belief in a fixed ability is completely wrong- abilities of all kinds are profoundly malleable,” said Heidi Grant Halvorson, Social Cognitive Psychologist Specializing in the Study of Leadership and Motivation. Involve other people and make your behavior enticing and habitual.
Emotional regulation is the ability to monitor and manage thoughts, emotions and behavior to directly benefit goals. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques help develop this competency.
Avoiding the inner work at your occupation could have a high price. Poor leadership costs US companies about $550 billion per year in lost productivity and $1 trillion per year from voluntary turnover. Additionally, 58% of managers never received formal leadership training, but companies that do invest in this training see significantly higher rates of successful collaboration, teamwork and employee engagement.
Starting your personal awakening journey and leading for the soul has countless benefits, including less absenteeism at work and strengthened relationships at home. Starting your personal awakening journey ensures you lead from your own unique talents, experiences and insights. Once you learn how to lead from your soul, you’ll strengthen the connection between leadership impact and results.
Source: Sounds True
