What do you think makes an individual successful or unsuccessful?

Pos: Seeing value and abilities in everyone. Enjoying/appreciating the beauty of God's universe. Being honestly thankful.
Neg: Finding, assigning or transferring fault. Allowing lethargy to become a habit. Placing self above all other considerations.

Pos. help others that are unable to do things on their own, work with children( scouts, 4-H) do bible studies with others. Neg. argue with people all the time, being a slackerd, lawlessness.

First, every post on here I believe can be combined together to teach our future leaders everything they need to know. I have not, nor do I expect to see any I do not agree with, and my ideas are average at best compared to most others. That being said, here goes.

Positives:

1. Knows the true definition of lead/leader

2. Has proven to everyone they know how to follow before they ever aspire to lead.

3. Has proven to everyone they know how to lead before they ever become a leader.

Negatives:

1. Wants to be a "boss", not a "leader."

2. Tells everyone they want to be a leader (boss) before they ever learn to follow.

3. Is never able to prove themselves to be a follower before they become a leader (boss).

Your reputation always precedes your rank, and can most definitely affect where your troops decide to place their respect before you ever even meet them; on you or on your title.

There is a difference, and if you want to run a smooth operation, you better make sure they respect you.

Positive
Having realistic expectations
Challenging yourself
Networking

Negative
Setting the bar too high
Settling/Complacency
Expecting others to do things for you

So I'm just going to share some personal experiences to demonstrate these things. I tend to set realistic expectations for myself. I am not expecting to be making a top tier salary at an entry level position. In that respect, some people set the bar too high and they disqualify themselves from positions that could be used as a stepping stone because they don't want to take a pay cut. I am a firm believer in challenging yourself. While in the Marine Corps I tried to learn every little thing about my job to make myself a more in demand person. Because of the reputation I built with my work ethic and knowledge base, I was able to use the contacts I made in the military to snag a job when I separated. Now many would say I'm currently settling in my position and I should apply elsewhere, so they could be right. Unfortunately I like my current job, so I'd like to continue using it to build my resume. When I was separating, my daughter was due to be born. I didn't sit on my hands and wait for a job to land my way. I sent out hundreds of resumes. Filled out hundreds of applications. Made hundreds of calls. Despite landing a job through a military connection, I didn't sit back and expect someone to do all the legwork for me. I went out and actually searched for a job.

I'll go with what worked for me and some of my Achilles Heels that I had to keep in check.
Positives: Move forward every day on a realistic plan. Help and care for others and they will do more than I ever could. Be thankful and accept life with humility.

Negatives: Unchecked ego. Assumptions. Doing stuff half-ass. And the list goes on and on.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, my answers are hopefully different from the others.

Success, the real success, and not just money, always involves:
Genuine concern - people must always know that you actually care
Sincerity - don't say things that you don't mean, because people pick up on it
Consistency - some things must change (tech, ideals, etc.), but some things must not (dependability, work ethic, etc.)

Unsuccessful people always have:
Arrogance - no one is better than anyone. Some of us just try harder
Ignorance - situational awareness saves lives and businesses
Negativity - no one likes being around someone that will bring them down

I have been called "successful" by many people because of the goals I have reached. I set my goals after High School and kept climbing. I got my Chief Flying Wings (took 15 years of continious flying) made my E-7 and gave them 20. Raised 5 well behaved children. married 62 years. I own real estate, got money in 2 different credit unions, bank and stock market. BELIEVE IN GOD AND GIVE HIM HIS DUE. Give to charity and my children. Successful? Well maybe. Worked hard, studied like mad (MBA). treated ALL as I wanted to be treated. Respected my fellow man and crap, I am just a dirt farmer from Kansas. Constructive criticizicim is good some tines. Not setting goals will get you know where. Passing the buck works sometimes. Can't think of anything negative that can move you up. Keep your mouth shut and eyes and ears open and you will go a long way.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Success: Genes.
Solid, loving upbringing.
Innate desire to succeed.
Failure: Repercussions from a
dysfunctional family as a
child.
Lack of ability/intellect.
No concept of a better life.

POSITIVE:
Personal commitment
Dedication
Personal Values

NEGATIVE:
Self Centered
Unable to take constructive criticism
Not a team player

Aggressiveness, Positive Mental Attitude, Discipline, "Product" Knowledge, Confidence, and a Strong Personal Faith. Six keys to Success that came to me from many different times. The single most common trait amongst POW survivors (picked up at SERE school) was a strong personal faith. That really hit pretty strong when I realized that so many of them said that...