Anita Roddick described success this way, "There is no scientific
answer for success. You can't define it. You've simply got to live it
and do it." While Ms. Roddick is certainly correct that success is
difficult to define, especially because it means such different things
to different people, I believe that there are both scientific/ technical
reasons someone enjoys success, as well as artistic (the way something
is done or finessed) considerations. No one can be truly successful
simply using technical means, nor does success usually happen solely
because of artistic application.
1. How is success a science? Like other sciences, most success does not occur merely by chance or accident, but rather as a result of training, hard work and effort. Individuals who commit themselves to excellence almost invariably persevere when others tend to give up. In many cases, success arises as a result of this persistence or resiliency. The late General Dr. Robert Shira often said that he enjoyed his success and rose the ranks to become the Assistant Surgeon General, as well as the Dental Surgeon General, as well as Dean and Provost at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, because he outlived his contemporaries. In my conversations with him, he explained that what he meant was that he remained in the Army, and persisted and persevered far longer than others did, and thus he was exposed to greater opportunities. In my over three decades of working closely with well over a thousand leaders, I have observed that those who have gone on to be the most successful have almost always been the ones that kept training and learning, and were the most effective listeners. They turned their experiences into expertise, and their knowledge into wisdom, which permitted them to make intelligent, timely judgments. Success requires someone to commit, train, learn and use time- tested techniques, and approach issues in an organized, reasonable, open- minded manner, and remain calm when others tend to panic.
2. However, technique alone almost never assures success. Individual success is largely about attitude, and that attitude generally translates to the way treats other people, as well as the way he perceives and approaches various situations. For example, successful leaders are not those who use their power to try to force their opinions on others, but rather individuals who empathize, and effectively listen, and use finesse to artfully and honestly explain why their ideas are needed and valuable. Artistic leaders have the most vision, but are only successful when they get others to buy into that vision. In that way, success is based on emotional attachment and connection.
Is success art or science? In my experience, and in my opinion, one is only truly successful when he combines the scientific aspects with the artistic, and then understands himself enough to gain satisfaction from adding value to other people's lives. Whether this relates to how you conduct your personal, day - to - day life, how you lead others, or how you perform your duties, either as a manager, worker, boss, or self - employed individual, you must define what success means to you. For example, a real estate professional must define success, and determine what motivates him, what he seeks, what is most important, whether he is directed by selling, or by doing what's best, are all relevant, individual, personal decisions.
1. How is success a science? Like other sciences, most success does not occur merely by chance or accident, but rather as a result of training, hard work and effort. Individuals who commit themselves to excellence almost invariably persevere when others tend to give up. In many cases, success arises as a result of this persistence or resiliency. The late General Dr. Robert Shira often said that he enjoyed his success and rose the ranks to become the Assistant Surgeon General, as well as the Dental Surgeon General, as well as Dean and Provost at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, because he outlived his contemporaries. In my conversations with him, he explained that what he meant was that he remained in the Army, and persisted and persevered far longer than others did, and thus he was exposed to greater opportunities. In my over three decades of working closely with well over a thousand leaders, I have observed that those who have gone on to be the most successful have almost always been the ones that kept training and learning, and were the most effective listeners. They turned their experiences into expertise, and their knowledge into wisdom, which permitted them to make intelligent, timely judgments. Success requires someone to commit, train, learn and use time- tested techniques, and approach issues in an organized, reasonable, open- minded manner, and remain calm when others tend to panic.
2. However, technique alone almost never assures success. Individual success is largely about attitude, and that attitude generally translates to the way treats other people, as well as the way he perceives and approaches various situations. For example, successful leaders are not those who use their power to try to force their opinions on others, but rather individuals who empathize, and effectively listen, and use finesse to artfully and honestly explain why their ideas are needed and valuable. Artistic leaders have the most vision, but are only successful when they get others to buy into that vision. In that way, success is based on emotional attachment and connection.
Is success art or science? In my experience, and in my opinion, one is only truly successful when he combines the scientific aspects with the artistic, and then understands himself enough to gain satisfaction from adding value to other people's lives. Whether this relates to how you conduct your personal, day - to - day life, how you lead others, or how you perform your duties, either as a manager, worker, boss, or self - employed individual, you must define what success means to you. For example, a real estate professional must define success, and determine what motivates him, what he seeks, what is most important, whether he is directed by selling, or by doing what's best, are all relevant, individual, personal decisions.
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