Being part of TactiBrand has provided me the privilege of working with some of the best business minds in North America.  Most of the time, these are Broker/Dealers and financial advisors but we’ve also been part of incredible opportunities with other entrepreneurs.

It’s safe to say that the very nature of our business – that being to help others simplify their success – puts us in front of people that are looking to do just that. We rarely meet people that come to us and say, “ I want to keep doing what I am doing and I’m not particularly interested in working smarter instead of harder.”   Or, “I’m enjoying my current level of success and I want to spend some money with you just to stay where I am.”

What we do tend to get is people who are already very successful who are looking to “crank it up a notch”.  They aren’t looking for a magic bullet but they are looking for a methodology to get to that next level in a way that is realistic, relatively simple, repeatable and completely sustainable.  People generally want to have more success and move towards better life balance.

So, by default, we are already dealing with a pretty exclusive group.  Within that group, there is an elite 10% that particularly stand out as exceptional business leaders and the truth is, we always learn, grow and become better business leaders because of those relationships.

The opening question of this article was: What does it take to stand out?  Keep in mind that we are talking about the top of the top.

- They have exceptionally clear vision of what they want to achieve both in their business and in their life.

- Their purpose is more than a rote elevator speech about what they do.  They wear their purpose on their sleeve.  The reason they do things never leaves them and is part of every action they take – or don’t take.

- They communicate their message clearly and succinctly – internally and externally.

- They see investing in their future as a no-brainer long-term imperative.  Not doing so, is not an option.  They look more at the opportunity cost of not doing anything than the short-term expense.

- They embrace successful relationships and nourish them for mutual benefit.

- They are FUN to work with.

Once again, I feel fortunate for the opportunity to work with several of these 10%ers.  What is perhaps even more satisfying is helping some of the 90%ers take it up a notch to that higher echelon.

Vision, Clarity, Purpose, Passion and Partnership are more than just character traits.  They are fundamental and learnable building blocks that take people from successful to elite.