Sunday, January 11, 2015

What’s Your Competitive Edge? ~ 12 Characteristics That Will Set You Apart





 
My sister-in-law, Lisa Parcells, shared this article with me last week.  Her organization, Washington Fine Properties, is probably the D.C. area best real estate company.  Ten of the twelve characteristics below were shared and discussed with company professionals last week and I thought they are terrific.  I took the liberty of adding two to this list and hope that Lisa and Washington Properties don’t mind.  These additions are #’s 1 and 3. 

Enjoy and I hope you also resonate with these wonderful characteristics to live your life and reach your dreams.

1.      The Power of Behavior.  If you set your daily goals and commit to doing your daily behaviors to drive your goals, no matter what your attitude is, you will be successful.  In my Sandler sales training, they teach that successful people track their behaviors and their attitude on a daily basis so they could see progression towards their goals and give themselves permission to fail daily. You can wake up feeling a compromised attitude to your day and decided to take the day off.  But if you stick to doing your behavior, you will reach your daily goals and change that attitude too! Behavior drives Attitude in my book! What about you?
2.     The Power of Attitude. The attitude you choose toward life and everything it brings you will clearly help determine whether you realize your aspirations. Your talent and ability determine what you are capable of achieving.  What you attempt to do is determined by your motivation and your behaviors.  How well you do something is also determined by your attitude.
3.     Hone your skills and techniques.  Never stop learning.  Always look for ways to improve your techniques and skill sets. Never, ever rest on your laurels or what happened in the past.  Behavior, Attitude and Technique is a success triangle with all sides (or elements) equal for success.
4.     Have a Sense of Purpose.  Understand clearly what you are trying to do. Stay completely focused on your primary purpose.  Do get sidetracked.  In running your business, understand what your client’s purpose and objectives are, and help them to accomplish it.
5.     Chase Your Dreams. Daniel Burnham the great Chicago architect, urban designer and visionary said, “Dream no small dreams.”  Love that quote!  All great accomplishments start with a dream.  Dreams fuel your enthusiasm and vision (and behaviors).  They give you the burning desire to get up in the morning and perform. 
6.    Adapt or Die.  Things are always changing, so embrace that fact that your life and career are always in transition.  Yes, you will achieve your goals, but don’t fall into the mistake of thinking you don’t have do anything further.  Even  when you become a TOP PRODUCER, you will still have to stay focused on the fundamentals.


7.     Foster Trust. All relationships are based on trust.  Amen to that!  All business is a people business based on building relationships with your internal and external clients.  Time and time again you will hear of advisors and consultants ruin tremendous opportunities because they did not have the discipline and decency to do what is right.  Do not let yourself fall into this trap. Continually ask yourself, “Is this the right thing to do?”  Do what you feel is right regardless of peer pressure or personal desires; success and confidence will not be far behind.
8.    Tackle Adversity. In business, and in life, as some point we all get knocked down.  You have a choice, to stay down or get back up.  Rejection is a common place, especially if you are in sales.  To achieve success, you are going to have to be able to overcome rejection and adversity, and maybe your high need for approval and preserver through the tough times.  If you react to setbacks more quickly and positively, you gain the advantage.  Everyone in business, and in life, encounters obstacles. Expect them and deal with them up front.
9.    Commit to Excellence. Do everything to the best of your ability.  Everybody wants to be associated with people who set and maintain high standards.  When you lower your standards, you invite mediocrity.
10.  Make Sacrifice Your Alley. You cannot be successful without making sacrifices. Most losing organizations are overpopulated with people who constantly complain about life’s difficulties.  They will drain your enthusiasm and energy.  Take pride in making sacrifices and having self-discipline.
11.    Nurture Your Self-Image.  A positive self-image grows out of having strong character. To be trustworthy, committed to excellence, and show care for others are the underpinnings of a successful person.
12.   Handle with Care.  Treat others, as you would like to be treated, with concern and care.  The Golden Rule should always take precedence.  Always!  Leave your ego in the car.

Remember the only person that can change is you.  Always stay in control of these variables you do control, your attitude, beliefs, commitments and behaviors.  If you follow and take to heart these 10 competitive edge steps, the competition will be irrelevant, and success and prosperity will follow.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  So what do you think of these characteristics?  Do they resonate with you?  Do they fit into your life? I’d love to hear about your leadership journey into your New Year.  Send me a note via email at brad@aperiocoaching.net or on Twitter @bparcells.

In Latin, Aperio means to reveal, uncover, to make clear. Coaching is a powerful process that enables the client to reveal and illuminate their authentic style via a sharp focus on who they are at their core. 

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