Key Takeaways
- Success isn’t always defined by an achievement but by the traits you consistently develop.
- Qualities like resilience, curiosity, integrity, persistence, empathy, self-discipline, passion, optimism, responsibility, and confidence tend to be shared by successful individuals.
- Whether you’re in school or pursuing your dream career, you can start setting yourself up for success by developing these traits.
We all hope to be successful in our lives, but what does that actually mean? Depending on where you’re at in life, your version of success might look different than someone else’s. But success is more than just a single moment or achievement—it’s built from the key qualities that one possesses.
So, whether it’s acing a test or reaching a new career milestone, certain traits consistently show up in those who achieve success. Let’s look at 10 qualities that define a successful person—and how you can start developing them today.
What Exactly Is Success?
There is no one exact definition of success because we all measure it in different ways. Maybe success for you is passing chemistry, landing that competitive internship, accepting your dream job, or just choosing to show up for yourself consistently. Regardless of what it is, success is rarely about luck or being the smartest person in the room.
In fact, most people become successful because of their defining qualities. Success isn’t reserved for a select few; it’s something everyone can have. And it often begins by developing soft skills. In fact, according to one study by LinkedIn, 69% of professionals prioritize hiring candidates with soft skills.
The 10 Qualities of a Successful Individual
Those who stand out for their success tend to share a few key qualities. Here are 10 of them:
1. Resilience
Being resilient means you’re able to bounce back after a challenging circumstance. It doesn’t mean that you don’t acknowledge when things are hard, but it does mean you keep moving forward. You recognize that difficult situations will arise, but you are determined not to let them define you. Resilient people show up again and again—no matter what.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Let’s say you were just rejected from your dream college, even after you felt like you did everything right. At first, it might feel like all your effort was for nothing. But instead of thinking, “I’ll never get into a good school,” a resilient response would be, “That’s okay—I still have other options, and I will find a path that’s right for me.” Being able to have that mindset shift will help you keep moving forward—even when things don’t go according to plan.
2. Curiosity
Curious people have the desire to learn, explore, and understand the world around them. They tend to have that hunger to try new things, ask more questions, and take initiative because they’re interested. Oftentimes, it’s those who are curious who find the paths that others miss—all because they wondered, “What if…?”
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Curiosity invites you to dig deeper. Maybe it’s asking your professor that one question that leads to a research opportunity or taking a class outside of your major that opens the door to the career path of your dreams. Look for ways to be curious—you never know what’s waiting for you on the other side.
3. Integrity
If you consistently do the right thing, regardless of who is watching, then you demonstrate integrity. Having integrity means your actions line up with your words, you’re consistent, and you’re dependable. People with integrity understand right and wrong and are quick to acknowledge their mistakes and faults.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Being someone that other people can trust and rely on will go a long way. Always be honest, speak up when something isn’t right, and follow through on what you say. Employers, professors, and peers will take notice of this and know that they can count on you.
4. Persistence
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Persistence is that tiny voice that tells you to keep going, even when progress feels slow, or the circumstances are challenging. Those with persistence are determined not to give up, even if the motivation fades.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Consider the most successful authors: Yes, they’re talented—but it’s not just talent that got their books on the bestseller list. It was their persistence to keep going when writing felt like a chore or when the feedback stung more than expected. They didn’t give up after one hard moment—or even after a dozen. This is the mindset that separates the people who start something from the people who finish it.
5. Empathy
Empathetic people not only understand others’ feelings, but they share them as well. Possessing this quality means you are able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and experience a feeling with them. Empathy is about connecting with others and building deep relationships. It’s being present, asking questions, and staying open-minded.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: When you respond with empathy instead of frustration or judgment, it’s easier to build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively. Employers often notice empathy—and promote it. This is because people want to work with a leader who listens to and understands them.
6. Self-Discipline
Those with self-discipline aren’t privy to distractions. They know how to stay focused and follow through on their goals and responsibilities. Self-discipline isn’t always something that comes naturally—it takes a lot of self-control and consistency. Disciplined people set goals and seek results.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Even when your goal feels far off, discipline will help see you through. Let’s say you’re in medical school and you’re buried in exams, clinical rotations, and late-night study sessions. However, you choose to wake up early. You stay focused during lectures instead of zoning out. You take care of your workload. Successful people do this all because they have a goal that matters, and know the result is worth it.
7. Passion
Passion can be a strong driving force behind someone’s actions and desires because it’s tied to something they genuinely have an interest in. It’s what makes school or work feel meaningful for a lot of people. If you don’t feel passionate about something, that’s okay—it’s something that can evolve. In the meantime, try new things and pay attention to the things that make you feel more alive.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Passion gives your work a why. It doesn’t mean you’ll have automatic success, but it does help drive the hard work and effort you put into your major or career. Plus, passion often inspires and motivates other people.
8. Optimism
If someone has ever told you that you’re a “glass-half-full” type of person, you’re most likely an optimist. This means you live with a positive and hopeful mindset that things will turn out how they’re meant to. Optimistic people don’t come across as fake or like they’re ignoring reality. Instead, they choose to focus on the potential good rather than the negatives.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Living with an optimistic mindset will help you go far. How do you react when there’s an unexpected or disappointing circumstance? An optimist wouldn’t ignore the situation but instead would shift their mindset to finding a solution and taking the next step.
9. Responsibility
Responsible people take accountability for the things they say and do. They understand their obligations—whether it’s turning in assignments on time, meeting work deadlines, or just owning up to a mistake—and follow through. This is the kind of reliability that builds trust.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Being able to fulfill your responsibilities will be essential to your success. For example, if your employer is consistently seeing that you meet deadlines and manage tasks well, they’re going to trust you more. This trust can potentially lead to a promotion and greater responsibilities because they know they can count on you.
10. Confidence
Confidence is being able to believe and trust in your ability to figure something out. Confident people have the assurance that they’ll be able to get through challenges in life and come out successful. If you are confident, you tend to know your value and your worth and won’t let them be defined by anything else.
Why This Quality Is Important to Success: Having confidence can be great for personal and professional success. This is because it can enhance your motivation and resilience to accomplish something. And while confidence doesn’t guarantee you’ll be successful, it can certainly push you to keep moving forward after a setback, quiet any doubts you have, and help you take action to make things happen.
Developing these qualities can benefit you both as a student and a professional. No matter what comes your way, these are the traits that can help you adapt, grow, and stay productive. When you know you have what it takes to move forward, your success won’t be defined by a single achievement. Instead, it will come from the traits you’ve developed over time.
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