Anonymous wrote:They are drawn to their work. It’s just what they do as a person.

They can easily strike up conversations with strangers, even if just small talk.

They have confidence in themselves and project that. You feel like you are in good hands if you ask something of them

They love risk and view it objectively. Strategizing to intently make moves with little downside and a lot of upside

Good description, pp. This sums it up for the most successful people I work with (C-Suite of a Fortune 500). I think they all seem to have an outlet/passion outside of work, even though they're very passionate about work, too.

Anonymous wrote:Upbringing plays a major role in this

Not from what I’ve observed. Sure, prep school educated with loving parents will almost guarantee good outcomes, but some very successful people I know experienced abuse and/or neglect as kids and thrive now.

I think total confidence in self is a huge factor in success.

Anonymous wrote:My husband is just a genuinely hard-worker, and loyal. He’s only had a few bosses but they all (still) love him, let him have free reign because they trust him, and offer him tons of promotions. It’s kind of funny what little it takes to stand out in today’s workforce.

Nah. There’s something more you are not telling us. It is simply not enough. Most hard workers I know get docked - people don’t like to be out worked. If he’s a manager than maybe a little better with the hard work. He’s got to offer something else in a modern workplace - look the part of a leader (tall, preferably white, educated but not too much to threaten peers). Family connections in his shop - some kind of hidden power over others to allow him to be a ‘hard worker’ without threatening his peers. My read is this is a trust fund baby who works hard for self esteem. Seen a lot of those - since they don’t care about money sometimes this can conversely be rewarded. But then he is bringing something else - access to networks his company longs for. No, hard work is not enough. Sorry.

My husband is just a genuinely hard-worker, and loyal. He’s only had a few bosses but they all (still) love him, let him have free reign because they trust him, and offer him tons of promotions. It’s kind of funny what little it takes to stand out in today’s workforce.

Anonymous wrote:If measured by money and power, then the answer is ruthlessness. Laser focused and ruthless. Did I mention ruthlessness, if not, then ruthlessness.

Just in case my post above lacked clarity, I would like to offer a one word response: Ruthlessness.

If measured by money and power, then the answer is ruthlessness. Laser focused and ruthless. Did I mention ruthlessness, if not, then ruthlessness.

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t have the procrastination gene.

I am deeply envious of anyone who can conquer this part of their life.

the successful people I know are intelligent, ambitious, disciplined, have good interpersonal skills, and make sensible life choices.

Those who have failed to achieve much seem to generally lack ambition, i.e., they wait for things to happen to them, rather than taking steps to make things happen for them. They also make poor financial and other choices, usually based on convenience or near-term gratification in lieu of working towards longer-term goals. They fail to identify and assess risks, and attribute their failures to outside forces/circumstances rather than to their own actions or inaction. They fail to take responsibility for the outcomes they experience.

Anonymous wrote:The most successful person I know in the Washington sense has been focused and driven since I met her in 5th grade back in Nebraska (we're in our 50s now. living in DC).

She is known internationally in her field. She was also the student council president of our elementary school surrounded by corn fields.

What sets her apart from Washington-smart people like me is her unimpeachable discipline at all times.

I agree with the bolded. It takes a lot of discipline to be "successful." The people I know who are successful have strict routines that they follow everyday

I see myself as successful because I am happy and content. Most people around me would probably say that I have wasted a lot of my potential so far. That's ok. I am happy and feel lucky everyday to have what I have. I

The most successful person I know in the Washington sense has been focused and driven since I met her in 5th grade back in Nebraska (we're in our 50s now. living in DC).

She is known internationally in her field. She was also the student council president of our elementary school surrounded by corn fields.

What sets her apart from Washington-smart people like me is her unimpeachable discipline at all times.

Upbringing plays a major role in this

They are drawn to their work. It’s just what they do as a person.

They can easily strike up conversations with strangers, even if just small talk.

They have confidence in themselves and project that. You feel like you are in good hands if you ask something of them

They love risk and view it objectively. Strategizing to intently make moves with little downside and a lot of upside

My DH is brilliant, an insanely hard worker, indefatigable, unflappable, even-tempered, and loves learning and mastering new skills. I think these are all pretty innate traits. He was just born that way.

Emotional regulation, humility, a lifelong learner, disciplined, and enjoys life/doesn’t take themself too seriously.

Married, no kids, lots of follow through and always promoting himself