New Series: Simple Secrets to Success From Execs Who Know
WashingtonExec reached out to area executives to gain insight and share local “secrets to success” stories.
Steve Gladis is founder and CEO of Steve Gladis Leadership, a firm that specializes in executive coaching, training and motivational speaking. Gladis also recently authored the book The Agile Leader.
Today Gladis gives us his seven “biggies” to success:
1. Listen First: Whether it’s home or the office, try to understand first before telling your story.
2. Showing Up is 88% of Life: This is an old Woody Allen quote but true. Again with the family and anything you’re involved with, do what you commit to or don’t commit.
3. Generosity Rules: when in doubt help other people with no expectation of an ROI. Period.
4. Do What you Love: Forget living someone else’s life plan. If you want to be an artist or a professional wrestler…go do it.
5. Attitude, Not Aptitude Will Determine Your Altitude (this quote has been attributed to football coaches and Zig Ziglar). Regardless—it’s one to live by. Give me a new hire who’s got the right attitude, and I can get them to the playing level they need to be at.
6. Caring: Nobody cares what you know until they know that you Care (Teddy Roosevelt): At the core of trust.
7. Trust has three key elements: Good Character, Competence and Caring—don’t forget any one of them.