Key traits for success
Last week, I wrote about having a bias towards action—and a few people reached out asking, “What other qualities do you really value in teammates?”
Here are 6 traits I look up to and try to practice myself:
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Bias towards action
They don't wait for the perfect plan—they just start. They move things forward when others hesitate. -
Attention to detail
Nothing is too small to fix. Whether it's a misaligned slide or a mismatched color, they care enough to make it right. That mindset compounds. -
Cautious ambition
It's easy to be ambitious. Harder to be ambitious and realistic. The best people know how to read the room, aim high—and still stay grounded. -
Respect for the problem
They don't rush to solutions or hide behind “first principles.” They pause. Think. Put in the time a real problem deserves. -
Consistency
Not once. Not twice. But every single time. These are the people you can count on. -
Persistence
Most important of all. They push through the messy middle. They finish.
I'll be honest: I'm not great at all of these either. Few of us are. But I wrote them down to remind myself what I value—and who I aspire to be.
