Attitude is a Choice
Pondering again on the qualities for entrepreneurial versus corporate success, a major difference came to mind - one which I have learnt through the hard way and, therefore, which I am strongly convicted of.
Whereas an entrepreneur may readily define her status with her earned fortune, a salary-man's fortune is at the mercy of other people's judgment, particularly those of his seniors. For good or bad, impression reigns within the corporate environment. That's why people skills are so critically important for one to climb the corporate ladder.
But it should not mean that a smooth operator will always win. For an executive to solely focus her energy on managing perception is naive and, worse, running the risk of insulting people's intelligence. After all, impression has to rest on substance - a person's character and competence. So although one who is being judged may not always have the chance to be properly understood by those who judge, other people's perception should not be one's starting point for change - if change is considered necessary. Where one should always start for soul-searching is ones own attitude - toward himself and other people. Indulgence in flattery can be as harmful as denial against criticism. Attitude is a matter of choice - one which determines how far one is prepared to go (if not how far one can go) for success.
But after all is said and done, sorry for those die-hard believers in absolute cause-and-effect metaphysics, success is down to luck (other than fate).
Whereas an entrepreneur may readily define her status with her earned fortune, a salary-man's fortune is at the mercy of other people's judgment, particularly those of his seniors. For good or bad, impression reigns within the corporate environment. That's why people skills are so critically important for one to climb the corporate ladder.
But it should not mean that a smooth operator will always win. For an executive to solely focus her energy on managing perception is naive and, worse, running the risk of insulting people's intelligence. After all, impression has to rest on substance - a person's character and competence. So although one who is being judged may not always have the chance to be properly understood by those who judge, other people's perception should not be one's starting point for change - if change is considered necessary. Where one should always start for soul-searching is ones own attitude - toward himself and other people. Indulgence in flattery can be as harmful as denial against criticism. Attitude is a matter of choice - one which determines how far one is prepared to go (if not how far one can go) for success.
But after all is said and done, sorry for those die-hard believers in absolute cause-and-effect metaphysics, success is down to luck (other than fate).
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