What Are The Essential Abilities Of Extraordinary People?

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.’  - Aristotle

- Virendra Kapoor

While working towards success, people err when they look for quick fix solutions. Many believe in the ‘don’t work hard but work smart’ ideology. You may work efficiently and optimise your efforts, but you cannot take shortcuts and become successful.

Human excellence is a complex entity and I would like to explain it through my concept, the pyramid of human excellence. It has three clearly demarcated sections:

a) The top of the pyramid represents the capability to organise oneself, learn, and apply skills to achieve goals and become more efficient.

b) The middle segment represents knowledge and education, which one needs to acquire or learn in order to be successful. These are the abilities which one learns and acquires through rigorous education and other knowledge tools.

c) The bottom of the pyramid represents those basic qualities which form the foundation of success. These have to be imbibed and cultivated over a period of time.

While most training programmes focus on the top two levels, some just address the top of the pyramid and covers techniques—time management, teamwork, communication skills, conflict management, and handling stress—that are essential to become more productive. These are popularly known as soft skills. The next level is addressed through education; the process is rigorous and the focus is on building domain knowledge.

While the top two levels of the pyramid are important, it is the bottom of the pyramid which is essential. It signifies qualities that form the basic foundation and need to be gradually imbibed.