Chapter 3. A Kick in the Attitude Principle #1: Everything Starts with Your Attitude
Attitude isn't everything, but it is the main thing that affects everything.
In a study of 3,000 top achievers, researchers found that 85 percent of the subjects attributed their success to their attitude. The other 15 percent attributed their success to their aptitude.
Fifteen percent said their skills provided their success. But let's explore why an overwhelming 85 percent indicated that attitude was so crucial. Let's say you interview 100 sales reps, and the few you hire are going to sell a product you invented. The amount they sell will determine whether you make money. Who would you hire? What traits would you look for in a salesperson?
Suppose you have an applicant with extensive experience, talent, and skills, yet she is known for harboring a negative attitude and not getting along with coworkers. You have another applicant who has slightly fewer skills, but is recognized for displaying a dynamic attitude. She gets along with others very well. Who will you hire?
The editor of my magazine, Attitude Digest, recently interviewed a prominent CEO who told the story of a goofy-looking salesperson who was trying to get a job at his company. The fellow didn't have an impressive resume, but he had an amazing attitude. He insisted he was the best man for the job and offered to work for a month for free until things ramped up. Even more, he said that ...
Get A Kick in the Attitude: An Energizing Approach to Recharge your Team, Work, and Life now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
