Qualities of Successful Professionals

One of the most underrated skills that leads to success? ➡️ Knowing when to speak, and more importantly, when not to. ➡️ Knowing whose voice to hear, and whose opinion to ignore. As an HR professional, I’ve seen people with incredible potential hold themselves back not because they lacked skills, but because they talked too much about things that didn’t matter… or listened too closely to people who didn’t matter. They explained their dreams to people who couldn’t see their vision. They defended their decisions to people who never built anything of their own. They wasted time trying to be understood by those who were never meant to understand them. Here’s the truth I’ve learned over the years: 🎯 You don’t need to respond to every comment. 🎯 You don’t have to take every feedback to heart. 🎯 You’re not here to please the crowd you’re here to build your path. Sometimes, growth looks like staying silent when you’re tempted to overexplain. Sometimes, maturity looks like smiling and walking away from opinions that add no value. So if you truly want success: 💡 Speak only when it moves the needle. 💡 Listen only to those who’ve walked the walk. 💡 Protect your energy like it’s your greatest currency because it is. Your journey is yours. Build it quietly. Win loudly. Image source - Internet LinkedIn LinkedIn News #HRThoughts #CareerGrowth #SuccessMindset #LeadershipLessons #PersonalDevelopment #FocusAndDiscipline

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹? 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴. When I joined my job as a Research Analyst, I thought success was all about knowing the right tools, frameworks, and fancy jargon. But the one skill that’s helped me spot insights faster, connect dots others miss, and even grow as a person? 👉 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Noticing what others skip. Reading what’s not written in a brief. Sensing a client’s hesitation before they voice it. Here’s how observation changed the game for me — and how it can help anyone, in any field: 👇 🔹 𝗜𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗲𝘀 = 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 It’s not always about what the data says — it’s what the data doesn’t say, but hints at. Trends, patterns, shifts in language — observing closely is often what separates a good report from a sharp one. 🔹 𝗜𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 I started noticing who spoke the most vs. who got heard the most. Big difference. Observing team dynamics helped me position my ideas better — and read the room without needing to dominate it. 🔹 𝗜𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 Observation helps you listen better. Empathize better. Ask better questions. And that leads to better everything — conversations, decisions, relationships. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥? 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: ✅ Spend 1 meeting just watching body language ✅ Read a competitor’s website — but analyze what they're not saying ✅ Pause before reacting — observe the full picture first 📌 We’re so busy trying to be seen, we forget the power of seeing. But observation is a quiet superpower — and the most impactful people I’ve met use it masterfully. LinkedIn LinkedIn News India #ResearchSkills #PowerOfObservation #CareerGrowth #UnderratedSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment

The most underrated trait a leader can have is….. Kindness. I don’t mean fake-smiled kindness in a manipulating, angled way to get a job done. I mean real, genuine kindness — especially when you are under pressure. It’s easy to be kind when things are going well. It’s much harder when the going gets tough. Too many leaders switch from the carrot to the stick under pressure, but I’ve seen this lead to: > Quiet quitting > Breakdowns in trust > Toxic work environments > Blunted creativity and innovation in the name of ‘getting the job done’ Being kind in these moments creates such deep loyalty and trust that serves you well for the future. When you’re under pressure, try to remember: Don’t go to battle against your team. Go to battle AS a team.

When we think about success, it's easy to focus on the visible achievements: promotions, awards, growing businesses. But just like an iceberg, most of what contributes to success is hidden beneath the surface. A lot of exciting things have happened since starting my business last year — and there’s also been a lot of challenges, rejection, and frustration that lie beneath the surface. Here's what keeps the "visible success" afloat: ✅ Persistence: Building a business takes time. There have been days when I’ve been exhausted and stressed about not reaching the goal I wanted for myself, but I think persistence is one of the most important traits that keep entrepreneurs pushing forward when it can feel so easy to “give up.” ✅ Self-Reflection: Who knew messing up could be so helpful? Every roadblock becomes a chance to learn, adjust, and try again. As I continue into my second year of entrepreneurship, I realize how crucial it is to learn and adapt my approach. ✅ Quiet Determination: The real work happens behind the scenes: the unseen hours spent planning, figuring out revenue sources, and truly believing in what’s possible for me. But the iceberg doesn't stop there. Beneath the surface lie the challenges we rarely talk about: 🔹 Uncertainty: The future is a mystery. There’s no guarantee of success. The pressure can be a lot sometimes. 🔹 Imposter Syndrome: There’s always that voice in my head saying things like, "How come that person is growing their business faster?" or “Can I create the business I really want for myself?” Learning to shut it out and trust myself is a skill I continue to grow. (Do you also get caught up in the comparison trap? Here’s a helpful video that might help: https://lnkd.in/gbD-KRM3) 🤔 Reflecting on my journey, I've realized that the struggles and inner work are what have made the visible successes possible. For those who are on their entrepreneurial path or navigating their careers, remember that the unseen efforts are just as important, if not more so, than the visible successes. 💬 How do you handle the hidden challenges that come with success? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Every few weeks I post the latest thoughts running through my mind as a solopreneur. Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/geRYKrww #LorraineSolopreneur #Solopreneurship #Entrepreneur

I love a good hierarchy: Top 10 lists, power rankings, things that spark joy versus things that don’t. But when it comes to leadership, I think we’ve been ranking the wrong things. So here’s my thinking on 7 things we need to stop overvaluing, and 7 things we should probably start paying attention to before it’s too late. 1. Being different is overrated. Being kind is underrated. We’ve all seen the LinkedIn posts celebrating “disruptors” who think differently. But here’s the thing: being contrarian for its own sake is just noise. What actually moves the needle? Treating people like they matter. Kindness builds trust, and trust is the foundation of everything that actually works. 2. Having all the answers is overrated. Asking better questions is underrated. I spent way too many years pretending I knew things I didn’t, nodding thoughtfully while having absolutely no idea what was happening. Turns out, “I don’t know, but let’s figure it out together” is a complete sentence and a pretty powerful one. The leaders people remember aren’t the ones who had every answer. They’re the ones who helped them think differently about the question. 3. Being busy is overrated. Being available is underrated. Your crammed calendar isn’t a badge of honor. It’s often just poor boundaries masquerading as importance. Meanwhile, the ability to actually be present when someone needs you? That’s the stuff people talk about years later. “She always made time” beats “She was always in meetings” every single time. 4. Confidence is overrated. Competence paired with humility is underrated. I’ve learned this the hard way, usually right before I had to apologize for overcommitting to something I absolutely could not deliver. Real leadership is knowing what you’re good at, owning what you’re not, and being refreshingly honest about the difference. 5. Work-life balance is overrated. Work-life integration is underrated. The idea that work and life exist in perfect, separate spheres is a myth that mostly just makes us feel guilty. Some weeks, work demands more. Some weeks, life does. The goal isn’t a perfect 50/50 split (unless you’re a accountant, in which case, carry on). It’s making choices that align with what matters most to you right now, and not beating yourself up about it. 6. Being liked is overrated. Being respected is underrated. I’m not saying you should be a jerk (see #1 about kindness). But if you’re making decisions based on who’ll be mad at you, you’re not leading. You’re people-pleasing with a title. Respect comes from consistency, integrity, and following through. Likability? That’s often just telling people what they want to hear. 7. Big gestures are overrated. Small, consistent actions are underrated. The grand vision speech is fun to give. The annual offsite is easy to plan. But leadership happens in the everyday moments. The thank you note. The check-in that actually checks in. The promise you keep when no one’s watching. What would YOU add?

Not All That Glitters Is Gold. Have you ever noticed how the loudest voices in the room aren’t always the most impactful? In a tech product company, two employees stood out: Eva and Sam. Eva, a dedicated threat intelligence analyst, was an introvert who poured her heart into her work. She had a knack for innovative problem-solving, but despite her invaluable contributions, she often felt invisible. When she uncovered critical insights about a major attack group, helping her organization bolster its defenses just in time, she was proud—but her quiet demeanor kept her from receiving the recognition she deserved. In contrast, Sam, her boss, was outgoing and charismatic. He charmed executives with ease, quickly rising through the ranks. However, his rapid ascent left him disconnected from his team. His direct reports found him dismissive and unapproachable. When he presented Eva’s work to leadership, he would cut her off, diminishing her confidence and contributions. While he dazzled those at the top, he failed to earn the respect of the people who actually did the work. Despite Eva's remarkable achievements, leadership continued to overlook her while Sam basked in the limelight. They even bumped his salary, worried about the impact of his departure. Feeling increasingly unappreciated, Eva came to realize her efforts were consistently ignored. In a moment of clarity, she decided to leave the company, knowing her true value was unrecognized. In her new role at another company, Eva thrived. Within two years, she climbed two levels up, surpassing Sam's position. Does this sound familiar? In the corporate world, it’s easy to overlook hidden gems—dedicated employees like Eva who consistently deliver value but either prefer to stay out of the spotlight or are blocked from shining. Meanwhile, we can be mesmerized by those like Sam, who may shine brightly but lack true substance. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to see beyond the surface. Here are some actionable steps to uncover hidden talent: - Engage in informal conversations: Ask about their projects and ideas. - Hold skip-level meetings: Gain insights from those not directly reporting to you. - I've always been fascinated by the Undercover Boss approach: Step into your employees’ shoes to gain real insight into their experiences and contributions. - Solicit feedback: Create a safe space for open dialogue about team dynamics and recognition. True value isn’t always loud; it’s lasting. Take a moment to look for those diamonds in plain sight; they may just be waiting for the recognition and appreciation they deserve. #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #DiversityAndInclusion #HiddenGems #EmployeeRecognition #InclusiveLeadership

In my work as a coach, I've come to understand that true success in business goes beyond the surface-level strategies and tactics. Yesterday, a client shared with me that they appreciate how I help them with the "real stuff" – the underlying issues and challenges that impact their ability to perform at their best. Life doesn't exist in a vacuum, and neither does business. The stresses, obstacles, and personal struggles we face outside of work inevitably influence our professional lives. As a coach, my role is to help clients identify and work through these challenges, empowering them to show up as their best selves in their business. By creating a safe space for open communication and trust, I encourage my clients to dig deep and confront the "real stuff" head-on. Together, we explore the interconnectedness of their personal and professional lives, identifying patterns and blind spots that may be holding them back. Through this process, we develop strategies to navigate these challenges, build resilience, and unlock their full potential. When we acknowledge and address the "real stuff," we create a solid foundation for sustainable success. By investing in our whole selves – both personally and professionally – we cultivate the clarity, focus, and energy needed to excel in our businesses and make a meaningful impact. #leadership #businesscoaching #personaldevelopment #success #authenticity

THE ULTIMATE ACCOUNTANT CHECKLIST: REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS 📊 Accounting is more than just numbers it’s about driving strategy, compliance, and growth. Here’s how top companies apply these essential accounting practices: 1. Be able to fill in the tax returns Example: Apple meticulously manages global tax filings to comply with complex international tax laws, optimizing tax strategies. 2. Manage internal and external audits requests Example: Volkswagen enhanced its audit processes after compliance failures, ensuring thorough internal controls and transparent external audits. 3. Master and automate the reconciliation process Example: PayPal uses automated reconciliation software to manage millions of daily transactions, reducing errors and improving accuracy. 4. Perform impairment assessment on fixed assets Example: General Electric (GE) regularly assesses the value of its long-term assets, adjusting for impairment to reflect market conditions. 5. Manage the internal control framework for finance Example: JPMorgan Chase maintains a robust internal control system to prevent fraud and ensure compliance with financial regulations. 6. Maintain complete and organized financial records Example: Amazon leverages cloud-based solutions for real-time financial data access, ensuring organized and secure records. 7. Monitor cash flow and plan for future financial needs Example: Tesla carefully manages cash flow to support large-scale investments in R&D and manufacturing expansion. 8. Evaluate and select appropriate accounting software Example: Netflix transitioned to SAP S/4HANA for scalable accounting solutions as its global operations expanded. 9. Digitalize the accounts payable process through RPA Example: Coca-Cola implemented Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline invoice processing, cutting manual work and errors. 10. Keep accurate records of payroll and employee benefits Example: Google uses advanced HR software to ensure accurate payroll and comprehensive employee benefit tracking. 11. Establish and maintain a system for inventory management Example: Zara employs real-time inventory management to align production with market demand, minimizing waste. 12. Be able to communicate finance topics to non-finance people Example: Microsoft provides cross-departmental financial training to help teams understand budgeting and financial goals. 13. Stay up-to-date with accounting standards and best practices Example: PwC continuously updates staff on changes in IFRS and GAAP to ensure global compliance. 14. Manage the processes around the accounting module of your ERP Example: Nestlé fully integrates its financial data into SAP ERP for efficient reporting and global standardization. 15. Ensure all financial reports are in accordance with your local GAAP Example: Procter & Gamble complies with both U.S. GAAP and international reporting standards for global transparency.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵.   Yes, they’re vital.   But let’s be real—*they’re just the baseline now.*   The edge? The thing that sets you apart?   𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻.   It’s not just about balancing books or reconciling accounts anymore.   It’s about understanding how value is created. It’s about knowing how your numbers drive decisions in the boardroom—and using that knowledge to lead.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲?   1️⃣ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹   Do you know 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 how your organisation makes money?   - Who are the customers?   - What keeps them loyal and drives growth?   💡 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦?   2️⃣ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽   Imagine sitting in a meeting where the CEO asks for your take on the numbers.   Would you:   - Rattle off figures and ratios?   Or   - Connect those numbers to growth, risk, and opportunity in a way that makes them listen?   💡 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.   3️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆   Let’s say your company is under pressure to cut costs.   The traditional approach?   - Slash budgets.   - Reduce headcount.   - Move on.   But what if, instead, you:   - Pinpointed which costs drive revenue, improve customer experience, or build the brand?   - Balanced short-term savings with long-term sustainability?   💡 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.   Here’s a Real Example:   A company was struggling with high expenses.   The traditional accountant?   - Listed the biggest costs and started cutting, no questions asked.   But the accountant with 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻?   - Spotted that customer retention costs were high 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦.   - Suggested reallocating funds from less impactful areas instead of slashing those expenses.   💡 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵? 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵-𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.   In a crowded profession, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻:   - See beyond spreadsheets.   - Think strategically.   - Connect numbers to real-world outcomes.   The world doesn’t just need accountants anymore.   It needs leaders.   So, let me ask you: 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?   Cheers,   𝗔𝗷𝗶𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗮   💬 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦?

9 Overlooked Traits That Make You Successful⁣: ⁣ (and how to master them)⁣ ⁣ 1. Microrecovery Mastery⁣ ↳ Using tiny breaks to maintain peak performance ⁣ ↳ Resetting mental state between intense efforts ⁣ ⁣ 2. Precise Observation⁣ ↳ Noticing details others miss completely⁣ ↳ Gathering intelligence from everyday interactions ⁣ ⁣ 3. Strategic Incompetence⁣ ↳ Deliberately underperforming in low-leverage areas ⁣ ↳ Protecting energy for truly meaningful work ⁣ ⁣ 4. Productive Uncertainty⁣ ↳ Using confusion as a signal for breakthrough⁣ ↳ Getting comfortable navigating without clear answers ⁣ ⁣ 5. Reputation Investment⁣ ↳ Making decisions that may cost today but compound trust over time⁣ ↳ Viewing integrity as a long-term strategic asset ⁣ ⁣ 6. Strategic Forgetting⁣ ↳ Deliberately letting go of outdated knowledge ⁣ ↳ Unlearning habits that once worked but now limit you ⁣ ⁣ 7. Productive Paranoia⁣ ↳ Anticipating threats while others celebrate ⁣ ↳ Preparing for worst cases while optimizing for best ones ⁣ ⁣ 8. Intellectual Flexibility⁣ ↳ Holding opposing ideas in mind simultaneously⁣ ↳ Finding truth in contradictory perspectives ⁣ ⁣ 9. Measured Contrarianism⁣ ↳ Questioning consensus at strategic moments ⁣ ↳ Seeing opportunities in overlooked or dismissed ideas ⁣ ⁣ The most overlooked success drivers aren't techniques or strategies..⁣ They're counterintuitive traits that most people actively avoid.⁣ ⁣ Which of these overlooked traits could transform your results?⁣ Share your thoughts below! 👇⁣ ⁣ ♻ Follow Scott Caputo and reshare to help others. ⁣ 📌 Save this post for future reference!