We all want success. Or at least more of it. And though we may all differ at least slightly in our personal definitions of what that means, I have it that there is a lot of common ground.
Success in business isn’t random — it follows patterns.
So let’s take a look at six items that some of the most accomplished business leaders share, and you’ll see that they take specific, repeatable actions which set them apart.
First, they set crystal-clear goals and execute relentlessly. Jeff Bezos didn’t just say he wanted to “sell things online.” He focused on books first, mastered logistics, and then scaled into a trillion-dollar empire. Every successful leader starts with a defined goal and then works backward, breaking it down into actionable steps. So if you don’t have a roadmap, you’re essentially driving blind.
Second, they obsess over solving real problems. The best business minds don’t just chase money; they chase solutions. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, saw a gap in the women’s clothing market — uncomfortable shapewear — and created a billion-dollar company by fixing that problem. A variety of auto manufacturers looked at the inefficiencies of gas-powered cars and developed EV’s which could run on electricity. If you want to succeed, start by asking, What problem can I solve better than anyone else?
Third, they execute faster than everyone else. While others wait for the “perfect time,” successful businesspeople take action now. They launch, test, and iterate. Whether you love him or hate him, Mark Zuckerberg’s famous mantra at Facebook was “Move fast and break things.” Waiting for perfection is the enemy of progress.
Fourth, they build strong networks and seek mentorship. No one reaches the top alone. Bill Gates had Warren Buffett as a mentor. Steve Jobs had a close relationship with Andy Grove, the CEO of Intel. Successful people surround themselves with those who have already walked the path and can provide guidance. Want to get ahead? Find someone smarter than you and learn from them.
Fifth, they develop insane discipline. The best business leaders have habits that drive their success. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, wakes up at 4:30 AM every day. Oprah Winfrey reads daily to stay sharp. They don’t waste time on distractions — they focus on habits that compound over time. If you master your routine, you master your results.
And finally, they embrace failure as feedback. Every success story has failures behind it. Walt Disney’s first company went bankrupt. Howard Schultz was rejected by investors 242 times before Starbucks took off. The key difference? They kept going. The best businesspeople see failure as a lesson, not a verdict.
So, if you want to follow in the footsteps of the greats, start today: Define your goal. Solve a real problem. Take action quickly. Build a network. Develop unshakable discipline. And never let failure stop you.
That’s the formula for success. The only question is — will you follow it?
