Mary Barra, Chairman and CEO of General Motors, on the single most underrated trait that separates high performers from everyone else:
It's not intelligence, experience, or even talent.
She is direct about it:
"In my experience, in school and career, at work and at play, there are lots of talented people out there. But talent alone isn't enough. You need something more."
That "something more" is what most people overlook entirely.
"One thing that distinguishes those who really make a difference in life, those who really contribute, is passion and hard work. Remember, hard work beats talent, if talent doesn't work hard."
But @mtbarra takes it further than just working hard. Because working hard quietly, passively, and waiting for your turn doesn't move the needle either.
Most people operate on the edges. They show up, do the work they're assigned, and wait to be noticed.
Barra says that mindset is exactly what holds people back:
"Don't be content to work around the edges of your profession. Don't wait to be invited to important meetings or asked to work on crucial assignments. Instead, do what it takes to ensure that you're in the middle of your business."
The underrated trait is proactive hard work, not just hard work alone.
"Speak up, volunteer, show your enthusiasm, knock on doors."
And the compounding effect of that behaviour is significant at every level of an organisation:
"As an employee, your enthusiasm will make your job more interesting and get you noticed. As a manager, your passion will inspire others to join your team and work as hard as you to accomplish great things."
The people who consistently rise are the ones who stopped waiting for permission and started showing up like the work already mattered to them, because it always did.
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