There is no one straightforward path to success. Different people achieve success at different times and in different ways, but there are certain qualities that successful people have that help them achieve their goals.
What Makes A Person Successful?
A successful person is someone who sets targets and achieves those efficiently. Some people think success means happiness and fulfillment, whereas others believe it has accomplishments and status. When talking about success, all of these fundamentals remain relevant. To succeed, it is important to understand what you wish to achieve and then make an effort to reach your destination, whether a personal or a professional goal.
Do Successful People Pull the Ladder Up Behind them?
The phrase ‘pull up the ladder behind you’ means preventing others from enjoying the same opportunities as you. It is when someone withholds information and gate-keeps opportunities from others after getting what they want.
Why Some Successful People Pull the Ladder Up Behind Them?
So, do successful people pull up the ladder behind them? The answer is both yes and no, depending on the individual, their personality, values, and their past struggle with success. Not every successful person wants others to fail, but some wish to be the only one in power. Let’s discuss some of the reasons why successful people pull up the ladder behind them.
Hierarchy Power
Successful people may prevent others from succeeding because of their need for control. They may feel threatened as they believe others’ success could mean their failure. This also happens when these people have set expectations of who they think others are and what they can achieve. When those expectations are exceeded, successful people may respond negatively.
Past Struggle with Success
Another reason some people pull up the ladder behind them is their past struggle with success. They may have had a very long and difficult journey getting to where they currently are, which may prevent them from sharing their tips, tricks, and insider secrets with others. Such people believe that since they’ve struggled for success, others should too.
Past Regrets
More often than not, people who prevent others from advancing in life know what it’s like to be humiliated. The difference is that they project that trauma and insecurity onto others by not helping or forsaking them in their time of need.
Personality and Values
Let’s face it, not everyone is a good person at heart. Some people, despite all their success and experiences in life, can’t see others enjoy the same bounties. They want to hog all the credit and leave no room for their team members, colleagues, or even friends and family. This could be due to their jealousy or buried emotions or may have something to do with how they were raised.
For example, people who grow up in a very competitive environment can turn into these selfish beings who prioritize their success over all else. Similarly, people who grow up without siblings and cousins may be used to the spotlight always on them, and this can be very hard to share with others later on in life. Such people want to be the best at everything and may be tempted to pull the ladder behind them so nobody else can come close to their achievements.
Why Don’t Successful People Pull the Ladder Up Behind Them?
Now let’s take a look at the flip side. As discussed, we cannot generalize all successful people as ‘ladder pullers.’ In fact, people who are truly confident in their ability to reach their goals are not insecure and don’t easily feel threatened by others. Instead, they inspire them through their willpower, optimism, and enthusiasm. Let’s take a look at why successful people don’t pull up the ladder behind them.
Successful People are focused
People who are clear about their goals and strategies are super focused. They are not distracted by other people’s successes or failures and are not intimidated by their surroundings. They are the ones who push and help others to realize their true potential.
Successful People realize that they need Other People to Succeed
Managers, team leaders, and smart people generally realize that success is usually achieved due to collaborative efforts, especially in a business setting. They understand that a win for one is a win for all.
This is why they don’t disappear into thin air after getting what they want. Instead, they make sure that their team members and colleagues benefit from the same opportunities and knowledge they have, so they can all succeed as a unit.
Successful people know that when one person does well, it impacts the overall performance of the team, department, or company. This, in turn, helps them and others become more successful. So, instead of pouting or scheming for others to fail, successful people help and cheer others when they perform better.
Successful People Value Relationships
There is no doubt that pulling the ladder up behind someone can sour your relationship with them. The difference between regular and successful people is that the latter realizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships. They know that poor relationships can lead to animosity at the workplace, which can impact the team’s overall efficiency.
Successful People Know Helping Others Can Open Doors for Networking and Referrals
Successful people know that a strong network and connections are crucial for getting ahead in life. For this reason, they don’t burn bridges with people so easily. They realize that kindness and compassion will strengthen their bond with their colleagues, superiors, and juniors. This is why they don’t let competition turn into ugly jealousy that will blindly influence their actions.
When successful people celebrate and help others reach their goals, they get a chance to solidify their networking and referrals. They do this by attending functions and events that their colleagues can access and getting to know other industry experts. This consequently allows them to connect with individuals who can direct or help them as they continue to achieve their goals.
What Can We Learn From This?
It is important to remember that success is best savored when shared with others. Here are the lessons we can learn from people who have made it far in life.
- We must remember that there are times when we will need to rely on others – be it our friends, family members, colleagues, or superiors. Keeping this in mind, we should always try to help others whenever and wherever because we might need help at some point too.
- Personal bonds and relationships don’t need to be jeopardized to succeed.
- Referrals you get from those who are succeeding can be very valuable and help you get farther in life.
- It is important to stay focused on your goals rather than getting distracted or intimated by other people’s pace in life. Remember, comparison is the root of misery, and everyone’s journey differs. Just because someone reaches their goals in less time than you did doesn’t mean they should be sabotaged. Moreover, it doesn’t mean that you are any less competent than them
What are Some Other Qualities of Successful People?
- Positive Attitude and Perseverance: Successful people have realistic optimism. This means they act and believe their success is inevitable regardless of the result. They believe that, like a child learning to walk, they must take action first and then tweak their action as per the feedback they receive.
- Self-confidence: Self is yet another quality that extraordinary people generally have. To achieve success, you must first believe that you can succeed. This kind of confidence will allow you to chase what you want and simultaneously make efforts without giving up.
- Patience: Success does not come easy but it surely doesn’t come quickly. In times when you are ready to give up, it is crucial to remain patient and continue to put in effort. The results will not always be visible, but they will eventually materialize.
- Integrity: To truly achieve your goals and carve your way to success, you have integrity. Having moral values and honesty enables people to succeed without compromising their beliefs.
Final Thoughts
Successful people are also humans; not all of them think alike or have the same personality, background, or moral values. While some love to share their success and help others every chance they get, others like to hog the opportunities and leave their colleagues behind.
We cannot put all successful people in the same category, but truly extraordinary people have integrity, preventing them from playing dirty politics. They realize that a healthy working environment and strong bonds are way more valuable than temporary success. This is why they push others to work harder and reach their full potential so everyone can move forward as a unit.