Success Advice
The 7 Secrets of High Achievers Revealed

We all have goals in life, but very few of us ever learn to consciously set, work on and see our goals through. In our naturalness bias, we marvel at those who have set and reached their goals thinking they have some esoteric abilities that we don’t. We overlook that the final product is the result of a series of mistake-ridden, unrecorded pains. What if we could learn from the process, the habits and rituals of the high achievers?
Below are the seven core habits that high achievers went through to reach mastery:
1. They made a decision
It is arguably one of the most important components of goal-setting: Making a conscious, deliberate decision to set and see your goal through. This is a singular moment, when you say; “That’s it! I have had it! I can’t take it anymore.” You decide that the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of changing. Those who have successfully reached their goals have all had those awakening moments.
Steve Jobs made the decision that he was going to make a dent in the universe after he knew he was adopted. Muhammad Ali made a decision that he was going to be a great boxer after his bike was stolen. They made a decision! Reading, watching motivational videos or even reading articles like this mean nothing without a deliberate decision to change.
2. They built on past successes
We are naturally inclined to focus on our flaws, we know everything that is bad about ourselves. We are experts at proving the “negatives.” The people who are deemed high achievers are the ones who know that they have flaws and that they also have unique talents. How many times have you found yourself saying things like; “there is nothing good about me, I screw everything up, I always have and I always will.” Those words limit your world. No one can consistently screw up everything, there is undoubtedly a time when you have succeeded at something. Find that moment, and use it as a foundation to build momentum.
“Be better today than you were yesterday. Be better tomorrow than you were yesterday.” – Lorenzo Snow
3. They practiced Kaizen
Those who reached their goals know that constant improvement is the norm not the exception. They have made the Kaizen or “continuous improvement” their life philosophy. There is no room for complacency. They know in our neophiliac nature, one way to remain motivated is to learn new things that relate to our goals. Don’t compare yourself to others. In this instance, I am reminded of Steve Job’s words: “life is too short to spend it living someone else’s life.”
Comparing yourself to others can be as delusional as being complacent. High achievers know the value of mentors and role-models, but they also know that real success is how they bring their uniqueness to what they do. Have the courage to be yourself. Fail, learn and improve. This is the virtuous cycle that will guide your self-improvement journey.
4. They have a great people only group
People who succeed know the importance of social circles. They associate themselves with great people only. These are the people who they could rely on when the going gets tough. They are energy givers, they listen to you and they boost your spirit. As a matter of fact, a myriad of studies has shown that people whom you associate with can have great impacts on your overall wellbeing.
Plato, at the peak of the Greek Empire noted, “what is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” Psychologist Emma Seppälä, PhD noted “we are wired for empathy.” Our behavior, attitudes and actions are a direct reflection of whom we spend time with. Starting today, build a social village with people who share your vision.
5. They had a bias for action
It’s been a month since you said you were going to start working out. To motivate yourself, you even acquired a treadmill. Everything is set, the first day you are excited, but suddenly a friend calls, it’s urgent you have to be there. You say: “well, I will have time tomorrow.” It’s been six months now since you’ve been saying “I am going tomorrow.” Sound familiar? Taking action can be the most daunting aspect of goal-setting.
Fear of failure, procrastination and fear of embarrassment, among many others, stop us from taking action. The people who made it knew the value of taking action, they got their hands dirty. Take action! Think of a goal you have been putting off, write your next action. Don’t continue until you’ve written it down. Don’t just think it, ink it!
6. They were flexible
“Where attention goes, energy flows” is a popular saying to help us focus on our goals. However, well-intentioned it may be, some of us seem to misunderstand it. We single-mindedly focus on a goal as if it’s a must-have, that attitude may create tunnel vision that can be detrimental to our goal in the first place.
The path to effective goal-setting is more ambiguous than we may think. Some of us are fortunate to find a goal early in life, while some of us don’t. For those of us who don’t, we need to navigate different paths before we ultimately settle down on a single goal. It’s best to have both a deliberate and an emergent strategy.
While we deliberately choose a life purpose, we should keep our aperture open to opportunities. Be strategic in your goal-setting endeavor. How do you know when to change strategy? Listen to your heart.
“The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.” – Blaise Pascal
7. They were persistent
Having a clear, compelling goal does not guarantee a smooth ride nor does it exempt you from failing. The high achievers knew that great talents, inordinate amount of time and effort do not bulletproof them from temporary defeats. In order words, they knew that failure is part of the journey.
Failure is definitely an option, giving in is not. There will be times when there seems to be no way out, those moments are meant to strengthen you. Be persistent. Failure is neither pervasive nor permanent as our minds have us believe, but temporary setbacks to make us shine brighter.
High achievers ensure that every action taken is in alignment with their overarching goals. Contradictory actions will distract you from your reaching your goal. Make every day count and every single action meaningful. Keep your eyes on the prize! There is no one-size-fits-all answer. How much I succeed in writing this article depends on your willingness to be creative, flexible and bold.
Success Advice
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)
Success Advice
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)
Entrepreneurs
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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.
Entrepreneurs
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)
-
Change Your Mindset4 weeks ago
Why Ideas Are More Valuable Than Resources for Entrepreneurial Success
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
Building a Business Empire: Lessons from the World’s Boldest Entrepreneurs
-
Health & Fitness3 weeks ago
The Surprising Link Between Exercise and Higher Income
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
-
Change Your Mindset2 weeks ago
7 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Success
-
Success Advice1 week ago
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
-
Success Advice4 days ago
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)