Ten King-Maker Traits For A Successful Life - Elite Daily

As Elite Daily always emphasizes, there are certain qualities that are common among all successful people, from doctors and CEOs to 4 Star Generals. Some people foolishly think that these traits are acquired only upon being established, but in reality it is the other way around.

These traits are “king-makers” in a sense, as they compose a single set of Elite qualities that – if possessed – will take an individual to the top of the world 100% of the time. Arguably, one cannot attain true success without mastering these qualities.

Studies and interviews with the world’s most successful people over the course of several decades have resulted in the discovery of at least a handful of these kingmaking traits.

If you are embarking on a life journey for success, stop and ask yourself if you possess these traits below:

1. Purpose

Inspiring leaders believe that success serves a higher purpose. When you ask what motivates them, they talk about making other people successful. Uninspiring leaders believe that success is their higher purpose. When you ask what motivates them, they talk about what makes them personally satisfied.

2. Gratitude

Inspiring leaders are deeply grateful. They know that their success is hugely dependent upon accidents of birth and circumstance. Uninspiring leaders are self-satisfied. They secretly believe their success is a natural result of being smarter and better than everyone else.

3. Energy

Inspiring leaders are uplifting while uninspiring leaders are depressing. The truly inspiring executive, manager, or entrepreneur is the one all subordinates look up to. If you leave meetings with your boss feeling regretful that you work for him - while wishing you worked for the other boss in the office who is inspiring and motivating - your boss has lost.

Moreover, the motivational boss is bound for success because if people enjoy working for him, then he has exhibited a mastery over the leadership position. Are there uninspiring leaders? Absolutely. And they're often quite good at motivating people. They just use different tools: primarily fear and greed.

4. Listening Over Talking

Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond--not so much verbally, but nonverbally. That's all it takes to show the other person they're important. Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice, because when you offer advice in most cases you make the conversation about you, not them.

Some people--I guarantee you know people like this--are incapable of hearing anything said by the people they feel are somehow beneath them. Remarkably charismatic people listen closely to everyone, and they make all of us, regardless of our position or social status or "level," feel like we have something in common with them.

5. Work Before Asking To Be Rewarded

Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and relationship. Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person, and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

The guy that asks to be paid or demands to know what he can get out of doing something before ever performing a task or committing to something is bound for failure. As Napoleon Hill, a tutor to many of the world's most successful individuals, has said on this topic: "The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does."

6. Acknowledge Others' Importance & Give Credit

You already know what you know. For example, you know your opinions and you know your perspectives and points of view. That stuff isn't important, because it's already yours. You can't learn anything from yourself.

But you don't know what other people know, and everyone, no matter who they are, knows things you don't know. That makes them a lot more important than you--because they're people you can learn from.

No one receives enough praise. No one. Tell people what they did well. Wait, you say you don't know what they did well? Shame on you--it's your job to know. It's your job to find out ahead of time. Not only will people appreciate your praise, they'll appreciate the fact you care enough to pay attention to what they're doing. Then they'll feel a little more accomplished and a lot more important.

7. Strong Beliefs & Values

Inspiring leaders treasure their beliefs. They don't wear their values on their sleeves, but their deeply held convictions pervade everything they say and do. Uninspiring leaders foist their opinions. They demand converts to whatever religious sect or management fad currently captures their fancy.

 8. Articulate and Careful Speaker

Successful people choose their words very carefully. The words you use impact the attitude of others. The smallest euphamism can cause harm. For example, you don't have to go to a meeting; you get to go meet with other people. You don't have to create a presentation for a new client; you get to share cool stuff with other people.

You don't have to go to the gym; you get to work out and improve your health and fitness.You don't have to interview job candidates; you get to select a great person to join your team. We all want to associate with happy, enthusiastic, fulfilled people. The words you choose can help other people feel better about themselves--and make you feel better about yourself, too.

9. Don't Discuss Others' Failures

Granted, we all like hearing a little gossip. We all like hearing a little dirt. The problem is, we don't necessarily like--and we definitely don't respect--the people who dish that dirt. Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you wonder if you sometimes laugh at them.

Also, if you do want to give constructive criticism on someone else's shortcomings, make sure you do it right. First off, make sure you are even in a position to do so. For example, you never want to do this to your boss. Two, if you are in a position to do so, then pull the person aside and tell them privately. If done publicly or even just in front of one other person, it may come off like an attack.

10. Own Up To Shortcomings

Incredibly successful people are often assumed to have charisma simply because they're successful. Their success seems to create a halo effect, almost like a glow. Keyword is seem. You don't have to be incredibly successful to be remarkably charismatic.

Scratch the shiny surface, and many successful people have all the charisma of a rock.But you do have to be incredibly genuine to be remarkably charismatic. Be humble. Share your screwups. Admit your mistakes. Be the cautionary tale. And laugh at yourself.

While you should never laugh at other people, you should always laugh at yourself. People won't laugh at you. People will laugh laugh with you. They'll like you better for it--and they'll want to be around you a lot more.

Ryan Babikian | Elite.