ZERO TALENT REQUIRED

Ironically, to be successful and have a great life, you do not have to have a high GPA. This is beneficial for the majority, because most of us will never be the smartest person in the group.

Imagine that you are entering the New York Yankees’ locker room. The first thing you will see is a sign that says, “By entering here, you agree to give 100% of what you have. There are no excuses. Every day, every moment, is an opportunity to excel, to be more, to achieve your best. Do not squander your time by going through the motions. Train hard and get results. At the end of the day, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you gave your all. If you do not have that level of commitment, don’t waste your time or ours.”

As college students start their journey into the real world, they need to discover the intangible attributes; the way society values such attributes and the role they play will have significant impact on their success. The advantage to intangibles is that dollar cost will be nominal because the real investment is effort and a strong mindset.

If we could help you get an A without working any harder, would you be interested in hearing more? Of course, you would. That is the point here. It is not difficult; we know the rules, but few read the rulebook and are willing to share them to make your journey less difficult.

1. Be prompt.

Show respect. Being on time means being early. Promptness is not negotiable and demonstrates that you are serious. Let us be clear: Walking into a meeting or class late shows disrespect for the people waiting for you. It implies that your time is more valuable. Five minutes early is the ideal cushion. This also gives you an opportunity to greet others and get yourself settled.

2. Show your work ethic.

Show you have a strong work ethic by being a team player and leaving your ego behind. We have all been on teams where some did not care or made only a weak effort. Most, if given the chance, would never want to have that person on their team again. Strive to be part of the solution, ask questions, and be the teammate you would want to work with again and again. 

3. Demonstrate effort and energy.

One hundred percent effort means being present—not on your phone—and fully engaged in what is going on. Stay on task. Asking questions, showing initiative, and being open to constructive criticism are all qualities that show that you are giving it your best shot. Back in elementary school, your teacher would give you a grade just for the effort they could see. It is important to understand that this concept translates to the adult world and first impressions.

Game time means do not show up in a bad mood, tired, listless, and unkempt. You need to be ready to play, and attitude is one factor that you can control. You need to come into your place of employment/school with positive energy, ready to be productive. People will recognize and appreciate your attitude. Be ready to create a positive impression; others will be counting on it.

4. Be aware of nonverbal communications.

We send messages without words all the time. You may not even realize it, but if you cross your arms, look down, or mumble, you will look defensive and unapproachable. Not making eye contact inadvertently sends the message that you do not care or are aloof. You are not fully “dressed” without your smile. The goal here is to become aware of your own body language. The best way to gain this kind of insight is to talk to co-workers and bosses you trust and ask for honest feedback on how you come across to others. 

5. Show passion.

Enthusiasm goes beyond the workplace. It includes researching topics, going to seminars, listening to podcasts, and reading publications. People want to be around others who have passion for life, including work. It makes you a more interesting person.

6. Think about the next level.

Do not settle. Stop doing the bare minimum or nothing more than what is expected. The goal is to underpromise and overdeliver. You want to move up, assume more responsibility, and show that you see yourself as someone who will excel in a leadership position. Like the old adage says, "go the extra mile.” Be more productive, achieve more results, and go the extra mile because it is never crowded. People will notice: It is only a matter of time. 

7. Be prepared.

Being prepared includes doing your homework, taking notes, and being familiar with your assignment or presentation. However, this does not mean you can know everything. Be willing to say, "I'll get back to you on that," and understand that you just gave your word. This is your bond, and people need to know that you will stand behind it.

8. Being coachable.

Be willing to take advice, suggestions, and recommendations. Be humble; we were born with two ears and one mouth. Listen more, and talk less! 

9. Participate.

It can be hard when you are first starting out and are the new person; however, you have thoughts, questions, and insights. You need to show you belong. Having a voice is a great way to differentiate and add to the success of the team.

10. Have a positive attitude.

This is really an amalgam of being coachable and doing extra with your energy. Even during challenging times, a positive attitude goes a long way with an employer, professor, or friend or loved one. While it is not easy, you need to find a way when you are down or disappointed to find a way to smile. Be that person others can count on, even during hard times.

11. Be empathetic.

This is not the same as being sympathetic. Empathy is the value of listening to another and trying to put yourself in their perspective. You do not necessarily have to give advice or answers as you attempt to walk through the situation in their shoes and display warmth and caring. This skill might even broaden your point of view.

12. Don’t gossip.

Do not be the person who talks about others; it is bad for team morale. If you are having an issue, address it with that person.

13. Apologize.

Say “I am sorry,” and mean it (not, “I am sorry that you feel bad”). Own your part of the issue, and be respectful. It is powerful to clean up hurt feelings and let the person know you can do better.

14. Find a mentor.

Life is hard, especially when you do not think that you need help from others. It could be faster to go at it alone. However, you will miss needed insight. We all need someone to bounce ideas off of and get needed feedback. Find someone who has already made some mistakes and learned from them. More likely than not, they will be happy to share their insight, as providing wisdom to others is a welcome feeling for most.

15. Say “Thank you.”

Last but not least in our “to do” list: Be able to display gratitude. Say thank you with words, cards, and gestures, to let others know how they have had an impact on you. Not only will you be glad you did it, but it will also make their day, week, month, or year. Yes, it is that powerful.

We hope that you understand that these recommendations will make a difference in how you are perceived in the workplace and classroom—and even in your personal life. You may not be called out for failing to follow these rule, but trust us—someone is keeping score. Make sure your skills, talent, and accomplishments are not overshadowed by failing to follow these simple guidelines.

Peter Titlebaum, Ed.D., is a professor at the University of Dayton.

Dr. Jonathan Mangot is a dental private practitioner; he is also the clinical director of the General Practice Residency program at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.