Don’t Play Follow The Leader With Your Career

Why do so many people believe they can become successful simply by copying what successful people do? Identifying a role model and then playing follow the leader is an age-old habit of looking for “shortcuts” to success.

Why?

Are They Smarter?

Many people believe their role models are successful because they are smarter. Research shows that once you get beyond an I.Q. of about 120, which is slightly above average — intelligence, and success are not at all related. That means that you have the same potential to achieve success.

Have More Talent?

Does your role model have more natural talent? This is rarely the case. There are many successful people who did not start out with any natural talent or skills. The best way to build and improve your talent is through practice and dedication.

Just Lucky?

Studies have revealed that luck, something you cannot control, plays an important role in achieving success. For example, Mark Cuban sold broadcast.com for $5.6 billion in 1999 to Yahoo!. However, Yahoo! never actually used any of its assets. Mark’s sale during the dot-com era was lucky timing.