That “it” — those 5 things that make successful people successful
I’m a pretty competent PR guy. But I’m convinced that’s not really why I’ve had the good fortune of a pretty decent career in PR.
Years ago, in a performance review, I enumerated a list of PR-specific skills and competencies to my boss. His response: “Yeah, that’s great. But why you are really good is you know how to make stuff happen and get others to make stuff happen, too.”
I was a little insulted at the time. How abstract is that?! But by and by, I got it. What he was referring to is the same characteristic that makes people successful in any other field. It has less to do with competencies in the chosen line of work and more to do with who we are as workers and people.
So here I’ve tried to capture that “it” – that whatever-it-is thing, applicable in the PR field and every other – that makes successful people, well, successful:
1. Do what you say. This is the first piece of advice I got when I started Kinkennon Communications. Fulfill every promise you make. Meet every obligation. Have the foresight to avoid any obligation you can’t meet. If you make a risky obligation anyway, meet it, even if it kills you. It is from here that your credibility comes. That’s everything.
2. Own your mistakes. We all make mistakes. If you or your team makes one, name it and own it. If it merits a mea culpa, give it without caveat. Don’t accept responsibility for things out of your control, but know that other people perceive more within your influence than you might think. And never shirk accountability that is yours. Nothing impresses people quite like a sincere “The buck stops with me.”
3. Listen really, really well. Ask a lot of questions about what folks want and need, and listen closely to the responses you get. Pick up the signals people send about their expectations. Bring your perspectives and expertise to bear, but first and foremost, show that you really hear and really understand what is being asked of you, and prove it in your actions.
4. Stay a step ahead. If the boss or client says, “Where are we on _____________?” then you’re behind already. Predict the questions that The Man or The Woman will ask, then beat them to the punch. It’s a bit about taking initiative. But it’s more about identifying, almost intuitively, what the people signing your paycheck really care about, then proactively making that happen.
5. Build constant consensus. Never, ever tire of running your ideas and priorities past people and getting their input and buy-in. Keep every stakeholder in your work situation – boss, employee, teammate, consultant, client – clear on what you’re doing and why. If you get good input, incorporate it and let people know you did. Find those opportunities to share ownership of project and priorities, and you’ll find that your projects and priorities will become priority #1 for everyone else as well.
Is this right? Are these the magical “it”? I’d love to hear what other folks think.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Shane, great post. All I’d add is: Have integrity. It might fall under “Do what you say” but I think it runs a little bit deeper than that. Do the right thing. Hold yourself to a high moral standard. When you have integrity and show it over time through your good work and deeds, people notice. And they want to be connected with you. Who wants to be connected to someone you don’t trust and/or respect? Have integrity … always.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Love this – very good insights. It takes a great communicator to recognize that PR success is not about PR. I’ve always thought great PR folks could do anything, and now you’ve clearly outlined why.
May 18th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Great article – coming from the HR field, Dan Levine is absolutely correct! Integrity should be on the top of the list.