What does one need for a successful career? Degrees, diplomas and certificates or proper career planning? Just as a single ingredient cannot make a delicious dish, a single factor cannot script a glorious career. It is a myth that intelligence equals success. Not all intelligent people succeed; diligence is equally important. It is also believed that only good students (read: those who secure high marks) studying in reputed colleges can have a successful career. But in reality, high scores do not always translate into knowledge, a must for success. Students who graduate from not-so-renowned colleges sometimes have a greater zeal to make it big than those studying in institutions recognised for academic excellence. Moreover, it is not only an institution that makes good students but also students who make an institution great.

It is difficult to lay down a formula for a successful career. Professional prosperity is the payoff for several criteria. Nowadays, emphasis is laid on certain personality traits that help a person become an asset to his or her organisation. This “X” factor gives an employee an edge over others. Qualities like integrity, tenacity, drive and grit are what employers look for in a prospective candidate, apart from academic and non-academic qualifications. Here is a list of 10 factors that may be considered the prerequisites for professional excellence.

1.Talk the walk

Most of what goes on in an organisation is communication. So it is very important to have excellent communication skills in order to excel. Says Harshavardhan Neotia, managing director of Bengal Ambuja Housing Development Ltd, “It is a well-researched fact that in any business or social organisation, people with a good command of the English language are by default pushed to the position of leadership.” English is no longer a foreign language; it is the accepted global language of communication. Hence proficiency in both written and verbal English is of utmost importance.

“One should have the knack for understanding people around him or her in order to be successful in any sphere, be it personal or professional. Even if someone is wrong, one should never be rude but rather express his or her opinion in a calm and reasonable manner,” says Ravi Todi, joint managing director, Magma Shrachi Finance Limited.

2.Listen to others

The other side of the communication coin is being a good listener. The art of listening can help one score brownie points over his or her colleagues. “Always listen to what others have to say. This shows respect for them. You also gain a lot from ‘active listening’, which means you pay attention to what is being said and incorporate changes that may have a positive effect on your career,” says Todi.

“An open mind to learning” goes a long way in building a successful career, feels Sumit Mazumder, vice-chairman and managing director, TIL Ltd, one of India’s leading providers of technology-intensive equipment for infrastructure development. Listening to what others say is a key element in building collaborative professional relationships. Neotia advises, “Be a good listener. This is the only way to communicate love, respect and care to somebody. Moreover, you learn a lot in the process.”

3.Pleasant personality

It is very important to be sensitive to what others feel. And praise genuinely. Sharing a good rapport with one’s colleagues as well as superiors benefits an individual’s professional life immensely. “Give credit where it’s due. And do it genuinely. Read the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie,” says Neotia.

The art of impressing people may be a difficult one to master but does a world of good to one’s career. “Cultivate a pleasing personality. The ‘smile’ factor will save you from trouble as well as ensure that people help you when you need a favour. You should not let your ego clash with your work. Be down to earth,” says Todi.

4.Be confident

Know yourself. Know your strengths, weaknesses, personality type, learning style, goals, needs, constraints and resources. Neotia says, “Make an ‘I love me’ file and keep recording your achievements. Keep reviewing your progress.” You should know your limitations. If one is not aware of one’s potential, he or she may set unrealistic targets and thus lose credibility by not being able to achieve them. “Once you know what you want, you can go ahead and attain it. Confusion will take you nowhere,” feels Todi.

5.Team spirit

You have to be a team person if you want to make it big. “No company can be a one-man show,” says Todi. The concept of teamwork is extremely important for the success of any individual. You can have a group of superstars but if they do not work well as one unit the chances are they are not going to be as successful as you would think.

6.Why of the matter

Ask the “why” question. Youngsters are generally focused only on learning “how to”. But it is equally important to know “for what reason”. An important tip: whenever in doubt, find out. “The one who knows the ‘how’ will always have a job, but the one who knows the ‘why’ will be his boss. Naresh Goyal of Jet Airways does not know how to fly an aeroplane but he owns the company,” Neotia points out.

7.Persistence pays

Perseverance is the key to success. Always try to improve yourself. “Commitment to and passion in what one chooses to do, coupled with the determination to excel, is critical to success,” says Mazumder. “Whatever you do, always keep thinking how you can improve on it or how it can be done in a better way. Don’t get bogged down by problems. Keep looking for solutions,” advises Neotia.

8.All-round attention

“Be an expert in a particular thing and at the same time try to develop multi-functional knowledge,” advises Neotia. In other words, one should be a jack-of-all-trades and master of one. “You should know your subject and be aware of the nitty-gritties involved in the job,” says Todi.

9.Be your own leader

Self-control and discipline are critical. Eliminate the need for supervision. “You are what you are when nobody is watching you. Your ability to focus on your work even when there is no one to oversee will determine your fate,” says Neotia. If you always need supervision, you cannot be a leader. You should not habitually feel the need for external motivation in order to perform.

10.Do it the right way

“Above all, values and integrity should never be compromised,” stresses Mazumder. Success is important, but you should not jeopardise your integrity or your organisation’s reputation, for individual gain. Honesty always pays. Never compromise on the quality of work.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than anything else.