One of my favorite questions to ask people, particularly those that I consider successful, is what makes them so. The answer to this question almost invariably points to the ideals that they work towards, to what they value.1 To some it's old-fashioned hard work, to others it's efficiency. However, a surprising number point to something else, being a good person.
Looking at the people I consider successful, all share this good-people trait. All treat people with respect, are confident but not arrogant, and seem to genuinely care about others. My friend Drew Kennedy2 recently tweeted about a similar observation that he's made.
The most talented people I know are humble, kind, smart, and thoughtful. Bar none. No exceptions. Funny how that works.
— Drew Kennedy (@dk_music) October 16, 2013
Being a good person may not make you rich, or CEO, or buy that Bentley for you, but I'm pretty sure you'll be successful in all the ways that matter.
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Although, sometimes it will devolve into a string of success cliches. Usually this happens with those less sure of their own success. ↩
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Go buy his most recent album Wide Listener. It's great. ↩