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7 Skills You Need to Master Before You Can Achieve Success

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As a hardworking entrepreneur, I need to regularly remind myself to look up and out. In the world of business and technology, reality often changes before I can put a coherent thought together. I try to stay on top of my social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The list seems endless, yet, I must continue to learn, grow and change as my mediums do.

There are podcasts, personal blogs, guest blogging, online courses, dream boards, interviews, strategy sessions and mastermind groups. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think about all the opportunities and challenges of today’s fast-paced, global society.

What I learned about success running a brick and mortar business holds true for new challenges in the world of digital marketing. To be successful, I need the right tools in my toolbox. With the basics, I can create a strong foundation on which I will build my business and life. Success occurs when I stay focused on developing the character traits and skills necessary to thrive.

Here are the 7 skills you must develop to achieve success:

1. Belief  

Do you believe in yourself and your dream? Do you believe you are capable of making it happen? Is your belief strong enough to knock down the walls you’ll inevitably face while pursuing your objective? If so, you’ll be a winner because winners develop an ability to push aside distractions while staying intensely focused on the end goal. The passion necessary to do so is fueled by an unwavering belief in yourself and your capabilities.

2. Communication

One trick of communication is learning the what, who and how of the process. First and foremost, you must determine the information you actually need to communicate. What do you need to say, and what is to be kept private? Who do you need to convey the information to? For some of us, a chain of command must be followed thus one must communicate with the right people in the correct order.

How do you do so, and what’s the best method of delivery? It is imperative to get this right. Have you ever seen the fallout from a relationship damaged by a simple message conveyed through the wrong medium, such as a text?

Mastery of basic communication skills is crucial for everyone, not just entrepreneurs. You absolutely must make the development of this skill set a priority.

The best rule to follow when it comes to conveying information is if it is an important message, deliver it personally, in person or by phone, not through email or text.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

3. Courage

Fear is powerful and it can stop you in you in your tracks. Fear makes you think you need to turn around when you don’t, and it has the potential to rob you of your dreams. A dedicated entrepreneur finds the courage necessary to bust through fear. As an example, I am fearful of public speaking, yet it is often necessary. If I take time to practice in front of my family or small group of friends, I gain valuable experience and greater confidence in myself. The best way to beat fear is by summoning the courage to walk through it.

4. Flexibility

Flexibility is one of your most important skills. The key is learning to flex without breaking.  Whether an owner, manager or employee, you will be asked many times throughout your life to be flexible with your availability, your attitudes, and your management of self and others. In order to achieve maximum flexibility, you must first define your limits and boundaries. In businesses large and small, and in life, flexibility is a critical skill to master because even the strongest of us can snap when we are stretched past our breaking point.

5. Integrity

Integrity is honesty. Integrity helps you identify your strengths and character defects. It helps you make an honest assessment of who you are and what you are capable of. We need integrity to draw and keep the right people, both employees and customers. When people look to their leaders, they respect the person whose words match their actions. Integrity binds us together.

6. Mentorship

When you allow yourself to be mentored by someone, you tap into a wealth of information, communication and conversation. Due to the nature of the relationship, a mentor can tell you the truth about yourself or your business as the right mentor already walked the path you are now on. Out of their experience, a mentor informs you of the pitfalls you might face and can teach you how to approach and conquer challenges.

“My mentor said, ‘Let’s go do it,’ not ‘You go do it.’ How powerful when someone says, ‘Let’s!’” – Jim Rohn

7. Willingness

Are you willing to do whatever it takes, as long as the “it” is ethical? Will you work 12-hour-days for weeks, with no paycheck? Will you clean toilets, sweep floors and empty trash? Are you willing to forgo material pleasures while building your dream? Can you ask for help? Are you willing to listen to constructive criticism? Will you set aside your ego and accept opportunities for growth as they come? Will you commit the time to continually expand your knowledge base?

Growth requires education and dedication. You must be willing to go the extra mile and be able to see success before it materializes. You must work like no one else to succeed like no one else. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a basic skill set you need to start strong, maintain focus and achieve success. New tools will be added to your toolboxes as you move forward.

When one of your tools is no longer useful, give it to a new entrepreneur.  It’s important to pass knowledge on to keep growing yourself. Sharing with one another is how we all succeed.

Which one of these skills has helped you most in life so far? Let us know in the comments below!

My name is Robin Aldrich. Personal development is my passion. Motivating individuals and companies to become better versions of themselves is my mission. Helping organizations design creative solutions in the area of customer and employee relationships, and the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, is my job. I've failed and succeeded, lost one company, then started another on a crazy-skinny budget and wound up with $1M annually in sales. You can find me on Facebook and my website.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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