The Secret Sauce: What Separates the Successful from the Rest

Adnyesh
5 min readJan 28, 2023

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After studying over 250+ successful personalities, I have found that there are common traits among those who have achieved success. These individuals possess a combination of three specific personality traits that sets them apart from others and enables them to rise above the competition.

The first trait is that of a salesman. A successful individual must be able to sell their vision, ideas, and products to others in order to gain support and achieve their goals. This requires strong communication skills, the ability to persuade and influence others, and a deep understanding of the market and target audience.

The second trait is that of a commando. A successful individual must possess precision, laser focus, attention to detail, discipline, coordination, and resourcefulness. This allows them to successfully execute a particular task at hand. They are skilled in their work and can work under pressure and tight deadlines. They have ability to think quickly and come up with solutions in a crisis situation.

The third trait is that of a coach or mentor. A successful individual must be able to guide and teach others, helping them to understand complex ideas and to grow as individuals. They build a solid team around them, which in turn helps them to grow and achieve more. A good mentor not only helps others but also themselves to grow.

Let me give you an example of each

One example of a great salesman is Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple. Jobs was a master at selling his vision and products to the world. He had a unique ability to connect with his customers and understand their needs, and was able to communicate his vision for Apple in a way that was both compelling and relatable. He was also a master of product design, and knew how to create products that people would love and want to buy. This combination of vision, design, and salesmanship helped him to turn Apple into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Another example is Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. He is a visionary entrepreneur who has been able to sell his ideas to the world, even when they were initially considered to be far-fetched and unrealistic. He was able to convince investors to fund his companies and to attract talented engineers to join his team. He’s able to communicate his vision of colonizing Mars, revolutionizing the transportation industry with the Hyperloop and the Boring Company, and changing the energy landscape with SolarCity and Tesla. His ability to sell his vision and ideas to the public and investors is a key to his success.

One example of a real-life commando is the Navy SEALs. Navy SEALs are known for their precision, focus, and attention to detail. They are trained to operate in a variety of environments and to execute complex missions, often in hostile territories. Their training is rigorous and focuses on physical fitness, weapons handling, and tactics. They are also taught to be resourceful, and to think on their feet in order to overcome unexpected challenges.

Another example of a commando-like approach can be found in the field of medicine, particularly in the field of surgery. Surgeons are highly skilled professionals who are responsible for performing complex procedures on patients. They are trained to be precise and focused, and to pay attention to every detail during a surgery. They also need to be resourceful, as unexpected complications may arise during a procedure, and they need to think on their feet to find the best solution. They are also trained to handle stress and pressure well, which is essential for success in this field.

Also, with the advent of Chat GPT as one of the revolutionary tools of the millennium, many are unable to use it to the fullest and some are even trying to criticise it. The reason is simple even if you are given a sniper rifle a normal person won’t be able to use it to the precision. However, if a well trained sniper is given that he will make best use of this. It is because he is focussed, he has trained himself and knows the potential of it.

In conclusion, being a commando in a professional context refers to having a disciplined, focused, and resourceful approach to work. The Navy SEALs and Surgeons are examples of professionals who embody these qualities, and who are able to execute complex and challenging tasks with precision and focus. They are also resourceful and able to think on their feet in order to overcome unexpected challenges.

KV Kamath is a well-known Indian businessman and banker who has been a mentor to many well-known CEOs. He has had a long and successful career in the banking and finance industry, and is known for his ability to mentor and guide young professionals.

A good mentorship can have a significant impact on the career of others, as well as the mentor’s own career. A mentor can provide guidance, advice, and support to mentees as they navigate their careers. They can also serve as a role model, providing inspiration and motivation for mentees to strive for success.

One of the key ways in which Kamath was able to be an effective mentor was by providing honest and direct feedback. He was known to be a straight talker who was not afraid to give constructive criticism, and this helped mentees to grow and improve. He also provided guidance and advice on how to navigate the often-complex business world, and helped mentees to build their networks and make valuable connections.

KV Kamath mentored a number of well-known CEOs in India during his career. Some of the individuals who have been mentored by him include:

  1. Chanda Kochhar, the former CEO of ICICI Bank:
  2. Arundhati Bhattacharya, the former Chairman of State Bank of India Bhattacharya
  3. Shikha Sharma, the former CEO of Axis Bank: Sharma
  4. Kalpana Morparia CEO of JPMorgan India, as well as the CEO of ICICI Securities
  5. Rana Talwar, former CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, he has said that Kamath was his mentor in his early days in banking
  6. Harish Manwani, former COO of Unilever and current Chairman of Hindustan Unilever
  7. Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman of Bajaj Finserv, he has said that Kamath has been his mentor and guide in his professional journey
  8. Shikha Sharma, the former CEO of Axis Bank
  9. Uday Kotak, the founder and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank
  10. Aditya Puri, the former Managing Director of HDFC Bank

and many more…

A good mentor and coach is needed to build a successful team, abilities like K.V Kamath can help build a strong team to take you ahead. It can also help find the right talent in the team which can can be promoted and also make the weaker ones deliver to optimum performance. This talent will help you expand and scale your business or work to next level.

In summary, those who possess these three traits of a salesman, commando and coach, have the potential to reach success quickly. By being able to sell their vision, execute their plans with precision and discipline, and mentor others to grow, these individuals are able to achieve great things and make a significant impact in their field.

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Adnyesh
Adnyesh

Written by Adnyesh

Hands-on Technologist and Enterprise Architect with 15+ yrs. of experience working across Investment Banks, Stock Exchanges, Media, Telecom and Cloud Computing

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