Ask Fred > Career/Work > What principles do you see repeated in the lives and attitudes of successful businessmen?
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Dear Fred
What principles do you see repeated in the lives and attitudes of successful businessmen?
Fred's Response
While meeting with a group of CEOs in Canada I asked the group how each one defined the successful executive. The best answer I got was "one that lives rich as well as dies rich." I think the characteristics that I see are 1) integrity - personal as well as corporate; this leader doesn't expect any associate to violate their personal integrity either. 2) vision - John Wanamaker says that a "clear and penetrating vision for the organization must come first." 3) proper evaluation - there should be the ability to correctly assess opportunities for the organization 4) courage - the strength to overcome problems and live through difficult times; and finally 5) understands the power of people - Jim Collins so aptly uses the analogy of having the right people on the bus and the wrong people off; then having the right people in the right seats on the bus. The successful business person (my daughter Brenda has caused me to become very politically correct in my old age!) knows how to maximize capabilities of all resources.
