SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best

SUMMARY: ATTITUDE

Kathy Goodin-Mitchell, Human Resource Director at Promotional Products Association International, told me, "I think two things make people stand out: (1) A willingness to go the extra mile, and (2) A vision for the future. If you have a person [with] these two [qualities], then you have an important person in your organization. These folks seem to have energy and ideas, enjoy their jobs, and are usually the ones you look to for the future. It's no longer good enough to just show up or do what is listed on the job description. I encourage my employees to think out of the box and look across the organization for their next steps or to learn more."

SuperCompetent people have these characteristics in common, and it's not as simple as having a so-called Type A personality or a willingness to work yourself to a frazzle. It's all about attitude and being willing to look beyond (or around or under) the expected.

Heaven knows it's easy to get down and depressed. It doesn't take long to realize life can be difficult, people can be annoying, and Lady Luck doesn't always roll your way. You shouldn't, however, give in to despair or irritation just because you can't control every little piece of your life or schedule. We mere mortals have to deal with reality once in a while.

In a similar vein, you shouldn't give up just because something looks hard. Take a look at the Taj Mahal or the Empire State Building—even the Pyramids of Giza or the Great Wall of China. They appear to be ...