What do you think makes an individual successful or unsuccessful?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:18:46 -0400

PallyPoint Members share your thoughts on what makes an indiviual successful and what doesn't?

List at least three (3) positive things that you think make a person successful?

List at least three (3) negative things that you think make a person unsuccessful?

Share something different than the picture above!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 29 at 2016 1:25 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:25:38 -0400

Sure, all those things are important, but you can't overlook the unknown - luck. All those other factors will move you closer to success, but they can't push you over the finish line. You also need luck. No, you don't make your own luck. It's a combination of countless little things that can rarely be named let alone measured or controlled. In the course of my life, I worked with many people who had built significant successes and then shot their fortunes trying to recreate them. They did all the same things that led to those previous successes, but one more success eluded them. Why? They just weren't as lucky again. Don't let it get you down. Just because you're not lucky once doesn't mean you won't be lucky the next time. Trust me. My record at marriage is an excellent example...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 29 at 2016 1:27 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:27:14 -0400

That depends how you measure success COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
If success is measured by fame and fortune then those born into wealth have a distinct advantage.
Thankfully real success is not measure by fame or fortune.
Helen Walton was incredibly rich yet she had a down to earth attitude because she had faith in Christ. "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 29 at 2016 1:30 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:30:03 -0400

COL Mikel Burroughs,

I am currently in the infancy of a program, Honor through Action. It is a non profit hopefully fiscally sponsored through the local American Legion to provide complimentary landscaping to WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans and surviving Spouses who are not as able to do the work anymore. What makes successful people? Action. This is a cause i hope to catch fire around the nation. I am in North Augusta SC and while a local program, I hope it to spark a purposeful change. Giving back to those who gave to us first.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Mar 29 at 2016 1:31 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:31:15 -0400

Good
Honesty: Admit you don't know and be ready to learn. Give credit where it's due.
Integrity: Hard Right over the easy wrong
Praise in Public: When something goes right, don't take personal credit for it. Rarely ANYTHING in life is done by yourself so share the good times with those who were there to make them happen.
Bad
Attitude: If you don't have the right mind, right thought process you'll never succeed.
Close-mindedness : Refuse differing opinions. "My way or the highway". They might go first, but you'll be next.
Public Admonishment: If Praise is in public, punishment shouldn't be....but that isn't how it goes. It takes away morale, trust, and cohesion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 29 at 2016 1:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:32:24 -0400

In truncated manner: Driven, Genuine, and knows how to build and run organizations. And is not afraid to dream world class.

Response by Capt Lance Gallardo made Mar 29 at 2016 1:36 PM

Capt Lance Gallardo — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:36:55 -0400

Awesome visual chart. Sir, let me think on your questions for a couple days.

1) The first positive trait (or thing as you describe it) I would say is a loving sense of Self Discipline. Meaning you don't beat yourself up, when you fail to accomplish a goal, but you get past the disappointment or anger stage quickly and analyze why you failed. Do you need more time to prepare or more resources (such as training or studying or external support form co-workers, or family and friends), to accomplish your goal? Loving Self Discipline seems to me to be at or near the top for very successful people, athletes, academicians, or creators/inventors.
2) Indefatigable Sense of Resilience coupled with a willingness to fail. They are inseparable, two sides of the same coin. You have to be willing to fail, and fail often, and yet remain optimistic and resilient in the face of set-backs. High achievers seems to have this almost supernatural ability to risk failure, eat up failure, and not be discouraged from achieving their goals. They really have inculcated the idea that every failure brings them one step closer to success or obtaining their goals. Thomas Edison has a famous quote that encapsulates this idea. Some are said to be born with this trait, or it was developed in them by life experiences, by their parents at an early age, but by the time of their adulthood, they have this trait for success deeply ingrained in them.
Thanks for sharing this inspirational post, Sir.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Mar 29 at 2016 1:56 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:56:10 -0400

Pos: Seeing value and abilities in everyone. Enjoying/appreciating the beauty of God's universe. Being honestly thankful.
Neg: Finding, assigning or transferring fault. Allowing lethargy to become a habit. Placing self above all other considerations.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2016 1:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:59:21 -0400

Positive
1. Overall attitude
2. Team work
3. Great communicator

Negatives
1. Holier than thou attitudes
2. No communication
3. No team work (takes the credit)

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 29 at 2016 2:44 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:44:34 -0400

I'm going to post this from a different perspective, not on how I feel, but based on what I see.

Fake it till you make it
Moderate Brown Nosing
Knowing the workplace politics

This also depends on what it means to be successful. I will focus on success in the work place.
+
Assertion
Innovation
Resourcefulness

-
Laziness with no goal (I am a lazy smart worker)
Blaming game
Entitlement

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2016 3:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:16:30 -0400

Positives:
1) Knowing how to manage your people, not micromanage your people.
2) Staying in your lane, don't get into business that isn't your, no one has time for that.
3) Mission first, people always

Negatives:
1) Treating your people like servants rather than humans (I knew an officer that did that, always pissed me off).
2) Not listening
3) Not caring, we may have a mission, and that mission is important, but you have to care about your people as much a you do about the mission.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Mar 29 at 2016 3:21 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:21:33 -0400

Their frame of mind...their attitude....Stamina...perseverance.....

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2016 3:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:51:43 -0400

To be successful:
1. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and take risks.
2. Learn from your mistakes.
3. Take on additional responsibilities without being asked. (Grow the job)

Unsuccessful people:
1. Hate their job, watch the clock, and are the first out the door
2. Do a poor job, and would not consider checking their work for quality.
3. Have a piss poor attitude.

Response by SPC Paul Tillson made Mar 29 at 2016 4:39 PM

SPC Paul Tillson — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:39:44 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Love the chart, I agree, to be successful one must take full responsibility, for the good as well of the bad, look internally and not externally, for what you do today will effect your tomorrow.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Mar 29 at 2016 4:47 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:47:47 -0400

Success is measured differently, but several traits help you get there:
Successful traits: Be a mentor always, respect differing opinions, and live your core values
Unsuccessful traits: Anyone that states it's not my job, no accountability when something is wrong, and lack of integrity. Sadly I worked in Finance for 12 years and saw each of these almost daily.

If you work hard you wont always win, but you will be able to live within yourself better. If you feel you have accomplished your goals and done everything in your power to better yourself and others around you- regardless of rank, job, or money- you are a successful person.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 29 at 2016 5:54 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 17:54:15 -0400

"Hustle is Heaven for someone who is a hustler, Hustle is hell for someone who isn't."
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard"
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
"Don't start fights, but don't be afraid to finish them"

So that's four... I suppose #1 and #2 are the same theme though.

Honorable mention:
"Being on the right track is good, but you'll still get run over by the train if you don't MOVE"

Response by MAJ Tex Hall made Mar 29 at 2016 7:26 PM

MAJ Tex Hall — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 19:26:57 -0400

Aggressiveness, Positive Mental Attitude, Discipline, "Product" Knowledge, Confidence, and a Strong Personal Faith. Six keys to Success that came to me from many different times. The single most common trait amongst POW survivors (picked up at SERE school) was a strong personal faith. That really hit pretty strong when I realized that so many of them said that...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 29 at 2016 9:13 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:13:38 -0400

POSITIVE:
Personal commitment
Dedication
Personal Values

NEGATIVE:
Self Centered
Unable to take constructive criticism
Not a team player

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 29 at 2016 9:21 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:21:41 -0400

Success: Genes.
Solid, loving upbringing.
Innate desire to succeed.
Failure: Repercussions from a
dysfunctional family as a
child.
Lack of ability/intellect.
No concept of a better life.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Mar 30 at 2016 5:41 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:41:13 -0400

I have been called "successful" by many people because of the goals I have reached. I set my goals after High School and kept climbing. I got my Chief Flying Wings (took 15 years of continious flying) made my E-7 and gave them 20. Raised 5 well behaved children. married 62 years. I own real estate, got money in 2 different credit unions, bank and stock market. BELIEVE IN GOD AND GIVE HIM HIS DUE. Give to charity and my children. Successful? Well maybe. Worked hard, studied like mad (MBA). treated ALL as I wanted to be treated. Respected my fellow man and crap, I am just a dirt farmer from Kansas. Constructive criticizicim is good some tines. Not setting goals will get you know where. Passing the buck works sometimes. Can't think of anything negative that can move you up. Keep your mouth shut and eyes and ears open and you will go a long way.

Response by SGT Joseph W. made Mar 31 at 2016 9:31 AM

SGT Joseph W. — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 09:31:42 -0400

I have an issue with the tv point. I work from home. I also have tinnitus that goes from a dull roar to a thought-stopping piercing squeal. I have to keep a tv/radio going during work hours to tune out the noise both in my head and outside my windows (landscapers at the moment). I can't wear my noise-cancelling ones with my readers without resultant behind-the-ear pain. Earbuds will not stay in my ears and I cannot wear the hook style as well. TV acts as noise filter/buffer for the incessant noise in my head and random outside ones as well. I am 99.9% sure that the OP meant passively/mindlessly watching TV, but I use it as a refuge to decompress from reading medical charts all day. Success, like normalcy, is relative/subjective. I am not trying to keep up with the Jones family as we are them on our block. We both worked and educated our butts off to enjoy our life now. Stepping off soapbox and slinking away...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 3:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:06:37 -0400

Successful:. Unsuccessful:
Discipline. Laziness
Motivation. Bad work habits
Determination. Sense of entitlement

Response by PO1 Robert Fast made Apr 1 at 2016 3:07 PM

PO1 Robert Fast — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:07:06 -0400

Attentive to everyone and everything, flexible to all situations, perceptive to your environment. Knowledge is power and that is not just words to be repeated.
Oblivious to surroundings, inflexible in any situation, unwillingness to learn from mistakes.
The less you know does NOT mean the better off you are, ignorance is NOT bliss.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Apr 1 at 2016 3:52 PM

SGT Michael Thorin — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:52:03 -0400

1. + Succesfully teach.

The greatest NCO's have always been those who are able to exert authority by respect instead of by command. He also must exert that command authority when required. These individuals always took time to train soldiers, or ensured you receive training.

2. # Accepts responsibility for their teams failure.

Many time a team fails, it is because the intended goals are not conveyed to the group. You can have a strong leader and strong subordinates on that team, but if there is no understanding of the concept, it is more likely to fail. Leaders look back at what they did and evaluate where they went wrong first. If it was in planning or communication, the leader does not say it is "CPL Doe's fault, he ruined it for everyone. If you want to lose respect in 3 to 5 seconds this "blame" attitude will help greatly.

3. + Watch your subordinates when they do not know you are observing.

You will be surprised to find out who the "real leaders" are by doing this. It also enables us to catch bad habits or traits and voice their concerns before any paperwork was involved. Every substandard evaluation I wrote I felt was my fault. From the military aspect, we should not want to feel these out substandard.

Why? Because they had to receive at least "standard" to graduate Basic Training. This means that between the time they graduated into an MOS and received their station, and were due their first evaluation, WE LET THEM DOWN!

That's right, somewhere along the line we failed them. Own up to those situations as well.

1. - Never teach their team.

Being told to do a job with no guidance is the roadmap to failure. Every person below you needs to understand your role. The only way that could ensure the safety of the troops.

2.- Blame an individual for the teams failures.

Do you want your subordinates perform this to save face for yourself. In contrast, if you stand up for them and accept blame, many will respect you unconditionally for life.

3. - Show no interest in your subordinates.

Horrible mistake. If you would rather sit in an air conditioned office and play solitaire than supporting your troops (help, bring water and Gatorade, etc), then they will always see you as a person who has no respect for the work they are doing. Respect is a 2 way street.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 5:34 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:34:07 -0400

POS:
1. Love God with all your heart, mind and soul.
2. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
3. Set treasures in heaven.

NEG:
1. Betrayel
2. Bearing False Witness
3. Not standing for truth.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Apr 2 at 2016 6:31 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 18:31:55 -0400

Integrity, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment/Respect for self/others.
To: Failure of the above, Failure to recognize a power greater than yourself, distrusting your own instincts.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Apr 16 at 2016 4:31 PM

SSG Leonard J W. — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 16:31:55 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, my answers are hopefully different from the others.

Success, the real success, and not just money, always involves:
Genuine concern - people must always know that you actually care
Sincerity - don't say things that you don't mean, because people pick up on it
Consistency - some things must change (tech, ideals, etc.), but some things must not (dependability, work ethic, etc.)

Unsuccessful people always have:
Arrogance - no one is better than anyone. Some of us just try harder
Ignorance - situational awareness saves lives and businesses
Negativity - no one likes being around someone that will bring them down

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 14 at 2016 11:16 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:16:07 -0400

I'll go with what worked for me and some of my Achilles Heels that I had to keep in check.
Positives: Move forward every day on a realistic plan. Help and care for others and they will do more than I ever could. Be thankful and accept life with humility.

Negatives: Unchecked ego. Assumptions. Doing stuff half-ass. And the list goes on and on.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 14 at 2016 11:32 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:32:27 -0400

Positive
Having realistic expectations
Challenging yourself
Networking

Negative
Setting the bar too high
Settling/Complacency
Expecting others to do things for you

So I'm just going to share some personal experiences to demonstrate these things. I tend to set realistic expectations for myself. I am not expecting to be making a top tier salary at an entry level position. In that respect, some people set the bar too high and they disqualify themselves from positions that could be used as a stepping stone because they don't want to take a pay cut. I am a firm believer in challenging yourself. While in the Marine Corps I tried to learn every little thing about my job to make myself a more in demand person. Because of the reputation I built with my work ethic and knowledge base, I was able to use the contacts I made in the military to snag a job when I separated. Now many would say I'm currently settling in my position and I should apply elsewhere, so they could be right. Unfortunately I like my current job, so I'd like to continue using it to build my resume. When I was separating, my daughter was due to be born. I didn't sit on my hands and wait for a job to land my way. I sent out hundreds of resumes. Filled out hundreds of applications. Made hundreds of calls. Despite landing a job through a military connection, I didn't sit back and expect someone to do all the legwork for me. I went out and actually searched for a job.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Jun 14 at 2016 12:32 PM

SGT Michael Thorin — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:32:35 -0400

First, every post on here I believe can be combined together to teach our future leaders everything they need to know. I have not, nor do I expect to see any I do not agree with, and my ideas are average at best compared to most others. That being said, here goes.

Positives:

1. Knows the true definition of lead/leader

2. Has proven to everyone they know how to follow before they ever aspire to lead.

3. Has proven to everyone they know how to lead before they ever become a leader.

Negatives:

1. Wants to be a "boss", not a "leader."

2. Tells everyone they want to be a leader (boss) before they ever learn to follow.

3. Is never able to prove themselves to be a follower before they become a leader (boss).

Your reputation always precedes your rank, and can most definitely affect where your troops decide to place their respect before you ever even meet them; on you or on your title.

There is a difference, and if you want to run a smooth operation, you better make sure they respect you.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 14 at 2016 12:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:55:45 -0400

Pos. help others that are unable to do things on their own, work with children( scouts, 4-H) do bible studies with others. Neg. argue with people all the time, being a slackerd, lawlessness.

Response by SFC Ethan Graves made Jun 14 at 2016 2:00 PM

SFC Ethan Graves — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:00:26 -0400

Positives:
1. Lead from the front by example
2. Subject Matter Expert
3. Mission first
Negatives:
1. Do as I say not as I do attitude
2. Lazy and procrastinate
3. Self Glory

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Jun 14 at 2016 6:09 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:09:23 -0400

I would not know Colonel I do not perceive myself as a leader.

I can only imagine:

(+) 1. It is a Team Thing and I am only the servant!
2. Understand & Rise above the issue at hand
3. Empower the team towards the end goal.

(-) 1. Being Bossy & Negative
2. Forgetting you are part of the team
3. taking any credit from your team

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Jun 14 at 2016 6:15 PM

MAJ Michael Pauling — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:15:21 -0400

+ vision + empathy + determination
- selfishness - tunnel vision - sociopathological sub consciousness

Response by PO1 Melinda (Mindy) Bernhardt made Jun 16 at 2016 11:40 PM

PO1 Melinda (Mindy) Bernhardt — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 23:40:28 -0400

Honesty, integrity, acceptance.