The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance

by Ruth Gotian

WINNER : Independent Press Award 2022 - Business Motivational
FINALIST : Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2023 - Career
International Book Awards 2023 - Motivational

What do astronauts, Olympic champions, and Nobel laureates do differently that allows them to achieve at such a high level?

High achievers share the same four intrinsic motivation, perseverance, strong foundation, constantly learning through informal means. The key to their success is that they do all four of these things at the same time. Based on research and in-person interviews with astronauts, Nobel Prize winners, and Olympic champions, The Success Factor outlines the approach that individuals aspiring to improve their performance can adopt.

Using these four shared attributes as a guide, The Success Factor helps you reach your peak by applying the lessons of high achievers in your own identify your passion using a Passion Audit; learn how and where to find a mentor and how to build a mentoring team; develop your own community of practice; pursue your interests through informal learning; manage your time and energy. The Success Factor comes with online resources that feature a downloadable Passion Audit worksheet, Mentoring Team worksheet, and Goal Audit worksheet. The book offers scripts for approaching potential mentors and a list of uncommon places to find a mentor, such as webinars, airports, and social media.

The Success Factor features exclusive interviews with high achievers, including such people as Dr. Tony Fauci NIH/NIAID Institute Director; Dr Mike Brown, Nobel prize winner; Dr Peggy Whitson, Former NASA Chief Astronaut; Maxine Clark, founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop; and Steve Kerr, eight time NBA Champion and head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Psychology, Audiobook, Self Help

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 25, 2022

Reviews

[William Moses Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book will either hold immense value for you or be a book that repeats well-known truths depending on your answer to the following question:
"Did you know that high achievers from disparate fields, from scientists to CEOs to Olympic athletes, all share certain traits that cement them as high achievers?"

If you answered no, then this book is useful in its entirety. It spends its first third convincing you why being a high performer might be worthwhile, the next third identifying these four common traits among high achievers, and the last third of the book giving strategies to help oneself actually develop these four traits. Furthermore, the author has a PhD and her research is centered on high performers. So the author lends the subject-matter of the book credence by virtue of it being based on research and not being merely anecdotal evidence.

If you answered yes, then I'd suggest reading the the table of contents of the book just to see if you already knew what they were going to talk about. If there's a particular topic you're more interested in, then read that. Otherwise, if you already knew about the link between high achievers, chances are you are interested in being a high performer yourself and so have pursued various sources of info to figure out how. I'll just mention the four traits Gotian says are common among high achievers: (i) having intrinsic motivation (as opposed to extrinsic) to do the work, (ii) being able to persevere in the face of adversity (instead of asking *if* you can overcome a problem, you immediately ask *how* to overcome it), (iii) having a strong foundation in the field (both knowing the important things related to being the best in that field and having a good network of supporters and mentors), and (iv) being of the mindset that you always need to keep learning and growing.

[Mark Goulston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard about this book for a long time, but still approached with my now needing to be corrected bias that a book by a scholar is not going to be practical OR an enjoyable read. I was wrong on both accounts. Ruth Gotian shares here research into top performers in a way that is highly readable and usable. She also makes a compelling case for helping the top people become even better as a way of increasing their gratitude, loyalty and unpoachability all of which can be at risk if you ignore them to focus only on the belly of the bell shape curve in an organization. This is also a great book to share and discuss with your teenagers and young adult children to help them have successful careers.

[Lisa Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop highlighting interesting anecdotes and key insights. "Do something important, not just interesting". "No means not yet". Differentiating between failure and rejection (and why you must be good at moving past both!). How to find a great mentor.

All of the concepts were put together in a simplified way to know the exact formula needed to be an ultra-performer. As an Executive Coach, I will be recommending this to all of my clients as a foundational read for building their own success and mindset skills.

[Roberto Ponticelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it insightful, useful, and inspirational! Thank you for publishing such fantastic work.

Dr Ruth explains in simple and clear terms how to trace a plan to become a high achiever. This book does a great job even if I don't want to become a high achiever but just achieve something; its insights are equally as valid.

Many books exist already on leadership. It seems that, nowadays, everyone is a leadership expert ready to give advice. But this book is remarkable -worth of a remark- mainly because it's based on the personal experience of true high achievers, researched and analysed and curated by an expert scientist and writer.

For people advanced in their careers as leaders (whether it is in leading themselves or others to perform higher), the insights offered in this book may not surprise you. I personally don't think these insights are unexpected or a sort of revelation. But that doesn't take away any merit from them!

If anything, this book validates the points that many exceptional leaders already know and apply, which can only add to the importance of being aware and talking about these.

It's a book that's easy to read and learn from. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in leading oneself and others to achieve high in work and life.

[Andy Lopata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book last weekend, taking it on a business trip with me. I was staying at the house of a friend, who is a fellow speaker and author and a devout reader of business and self-development books.

On Friday night I went out while my friend stayed in. She had seen The Success Factor among my things and asked me to leave it out so that she could peruse it that evening. She made a strong promise to leave it out on my bed so that I could read it before turning off my light.

I got home that evening and the book was nowhere to be found! I found it outside my bedroom door the next morning. My friend couldn't put it down and had taken it to bed with her, speed reading the whole book before the morning. She took me through all of the notes she made from the book the next day.

That will hopefully give you a feel for the qualities of this book. It is very readable and full of relevant and practical information for anyone who wants to succeed in their career. The stories from astronauts, judges, olympians and other high achievers really bring the concepts to life.

Is every idea in here something new that you haven't heard before? No it isn't. But the book will reinforce conventional wisdom that you may have let slide while giving you some new ideas and insights you haven't tried before.

[Limme]

A Wounderful book.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of information and insights, this book is a must read for those who are top performers and their leaders and mentors, as well as those who aspire to be.

I think inherently, good leaders believe and understand that top performers need a different level of support. However, I would challenge that often there is no specific framework or differentiated structure to sustain it. Through her work, Dr. Gotian has determined the four elements that are necessary to create a sustainable approach, and supports each chapter with data and examples helpful for understanding the mindset of top talent. Additionally, she fills the book with great coaching ideas, questions, and methods that you can insert into your own coaching sessions and development plans.

I highly recommend The Success Factor. Dr. Gotian is an inspiration, as are the many incredible stories within her book!

[Sudheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to be successful.

Thank you, Dr. Ruth, for this wonderful book!
I've been feverishly searching for the top secrets of successful people in different fields. While many books provide some information, no book gave me everything that I needed to know to succeed. That's when I found the " The Success Factor." I read it with fill concentration once and took notes. I'm planning to go back to i
t often.


Dr. Rith has systematically put forth a structure everyone can follow. I strongly recommend this book to everyone aspiring to be a high achiever.

[Eddie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Ruth Gotian is a prolific writer who shares her expertise across top global platforms. In this book, she shares her knowledge and research in an engaging, actionable, and memorable way. The people featured in this book are some of the most interesting people in the world. Dr. Gotian takes their stories and explains the synonymous theme interlaced between them, revealing four keys to unlocking success. She makes it easy to understand and, therefore, easy to replicate. The Success Factor by Dr. Ruth Gotian is an opportunity to learn about success from one of the best! I found myself brimming with a desire to achieve more and do more due to this incredible book.

[Tim Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Gotian's "The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skill Set for Peak Business Performance" is a masterclass in achieving professional excellence. Gotian, drawing upon her extensive experience in organizational development and leadership, provides readers with a comprehensive roadmap for attaining peak performance in the competitive landscape of business. Through a blend of research-backed insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes from industry leaders, Gotian emphasizes the critical interplay between mindset and skill set, guiding readers towards a holistic approach to success. Whether it's cultivating resilience, fostering effective communication, or harnessing the power of goal setting, "The Success Factor" offers invaluable wisdom that is both empowering and actionable.

This book stands out as an indispensable resource for anyone striving to excel in their professional endeavors. Gotian's writing is not only informative but also engaging, making complex concepts accessible to readers at every stage of their career journey. Whether you're a seasoned executive looking to refine your leadership style or a recent graduate navigating the early stages of your career, "The Success Factor" offers practical guidance and inspirational insights that will propel you towards your goals. With its blend of timeless principles and cutting-edge strategies, this book is a must-read for anyone committed to unlocking their full potential in the world of business.

[penny shima glanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Success Factor provides an approachable toolset to help you develop and refine your success skills. I first listened to this book as audio through my library. I enjoyed it so much that immediately upon finishing I purchased two copies -- one for myself and one for my best friend.

This book in three parts can be read cover to cover or each chapter can be read (and reread) as needed. Throughout Gotian shares inspiring stories of successful individuals in an uplifting way that doesn't leave the reader overwhelmed or frustrated. One's mindset shifts from "I have nothing in common with this successful person who is (insert accolade such as Nobel laureate or Olympian)" to one of "oh ... perhaps I can do similar.."
She guides through clear sections within each chapter, as well as coaching questions to apply today, and key takeaway points to remember tomorrow. What I love best is her academic side shines through and important references are included with each chapter--no need to flip to the endnotes.

Ruth asked me whose story I found most inspiring. Yes, I hold Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Dr Anthony Fauci in high regard. I remember Apolo Ohno's crash and how inspiring it was when he got up and finished. The story that I've found most inspiring is that of the author. Yes, I am able to cross paths with her frequently right now. It's her ability to make connections and provide advice with a smile, even when faced with (or after) a long commute and day of work. She's always reading, something this bookworm understands and admires.

Will this book guarantee success? No. You need to do the work, not simply think about it. The Success Factor will help the reader define what success means at a specific moment in time and how to reach that goal.

[Chris Slininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Ginsburg Gotian has written one of my new top recommendation books. “The Success Factor” has taken all of the questions I’ve ever had about how I should do better at people-ing and provided the answers.

Through her four-pronged approach of #intrinsicmotivation, #perseverance, a #strongfoundation, and #informallearning, she shows through stories, steps, and example how to increase your success factor!

When I met her back in July, she asked me to tell her my favorite story from the book - so here it is:

Neal Katyal - from strong foundations, because his example is one we all need to do more of by never growing too big for the foundational acts of preparation!

Thank you Dr Gotian for bringing this book into my life!

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's plenty of good information here. No doubt the many bulleted lists contain solid advice, gained over many years through the author's highly relevant career. Personally though, too many key takeaways felt like platitudes, and there were some odd cases of repetitiveness. An anecdote about a student listening to a podcast was mentioned twice, statistics about mentors were brought up 3 or 4 different times, and Dr. Anthony Fauci was re-introduced more times than I can remember. Some of the topics are failure, adult learning, risk, persistence, mentorship, soft skills, and time management. Maybe I've been reading too many books in the genre for this to stand out.

[Matthew Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written and truly thought-provoking book that dives deep into mindset, success, and habits, yet not in a way that feels overwhelming. A really great blend of stories and observations from the author, and is something I have taken a lot from. Definitely recommended, especially if you're looking to make strides in your life in the coming months.

[Jennifer McCann · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some good nuggets but a lot of the same information was repeated throughout the book.

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0

Exhausted