Best Predictor of Success Revealed – It’s Not IQ

This month we’re going to look at a strategy for thriving in a world that feels hyper-fast already and that will become even more so in the future.

It’s not just individuals that are finding it harder to keep up; companies are, too.

One of the upshots of this rapid change is that it’s hard for employers to anticipate their needs into the future.  Specifically, they cannot forecast confidently what skillsets will be most needed beyond the near term.

Enter the 3 G mindset as presented by Reed & Stoltz in their book Put Your Mindset to Work (2011).

If our skillset is what we can do, our mindset is our outlook, our attitude, our perspective.

Mindset is so valued now that top global executives said a candidate with the right mindset is seven times more valuable than an ordinary, or normal, hire.  The stance is that mindset trumps skill set because we can all learn new skills but that open-minded, meta-thinking, well-intentioned, never-give-up leader is a rare bird.

The 3Gs of this mindset are Global, Good and Grit.

Global speaks to our perspective, our ability to understand context and how far we stretch to deal with everyday issues.  It can be measured by a capacity to deal with newness–ideas, experiences, challenging beliefs, and new connections.  Global can be strengthened by developing a capacity for openness.

Good is how we see and approach the world so that we benefit others.  It determines how positive or negative our impact is and also how we are perceived by others and so, how we are valued.  Trust is at the core.  The qualities deemed essential by top employers start with honesty, trustworthiness, commitment, adaptability, accountability, and flexibility.

Grit is about perseverance, sustained effort over time.  It’s also about how we deal with adversity–seeing setbacks as learning opportunities rather than deflating, and ultimately, derailing experiences. Grittiness includes a growth mentality seeking ways to improve, resilience to adversity, intense focus of applied effort, and tenacity of spirit.

The right mindset is a powerful advantage and will give you the edge in getting jobs and promotions.  It will set you apart from your peers and set you up for greater future earnings.  The qualities of the right mindset will endure over time.  You can count on it to be stable and for stability.

If you’re interested to measure your mindset, get the book.  There’s a code inside so you can take an online assessment.

To see and hear more about the essential distinguishing trait of Grit, click HERE for a six minute TED Talk.