Recently, I facilitated an afternoon meeting of global business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and branding experts. It was a small, invite-only group of about 15.
Each of these individuals were not only super-successful in various publicly-traded and private businesses and organizations, they also were exceptionally generous. Most in the room had made $1 million+ gifts with a few having made multiple 8-figure gifts.
During their meeting, I asked them multiple questions about trends they are seeing and ways that colleges and universities can better prepare students for those trends.
One question I posed to the group had to do with the skills, aptitudes, mindsets, or attitudes they believe to be most important for today’s students to develop to be ready as tomorrow’s leaders.
Below is a distillation of their responses:
- Having a strong, durable work ethic is more important than holding knowledge. Knowledge changes over time, sometimes quickly, but a work ethic is applicable regardless of the knowledge.
- Having a north star with respect to values. Are they willing to do what they believe is right and fair, even when it is difficult?
- Being courageous and not fearing failure. Being willing to try again and work around problems.
- Having a deep desire and ability to learn.
- Being someone who does things (a “do-er”) as well as someone who finishes things (a “finisher”).
- Being able to see the “big picture” and connect the dots – not a silo-thinker.
- Being “tech aware” as opposed to being an expert on any particular platform or software.
- Having an adaptive, flexible, and open mind about change.
- Being curious and emotionally intelligent.
I walked away inspired from this discussion. And, I was struck by two thoughts:
- All of these characteristics are applicable regardless of the type of for profit or non profit organization we might work for and regardless of the professional roles we assume, and;
- Developing what matters most (in ourselves and others) is not challenging because it’s complicated. Developing what matters most is challenging because it’s simple.
