Identifying
SuperAttainers
The
SuperAttainment Research Center is funding a multi-year study of high achieving individuals across a great variety of fields and geographies. The purpose is to determine key attributes indicating an propensity toward superior achievement that can be recognized by most people with experience managing other people.
The work is ongoing and is being expanded continuously.
The
SuperAttainment Research Center is an initiative to help people
in management positions identify high potential leaders and channel
them toward meaningful contributions to their organizations and to
society at large.
The
8 attributes of SuperAttainers listed below are considered some of
the
most common and easiest to identify when accompanied by other
aspects of career success.
8
Attributes of
SuperAttainers
1. Early Success
The Early Bird Gets the Worm…and Everything Else
SuperAttainers usually begin doing amazing things early in their life. In fields like music and sport, it has long been
understood that for a child to have a chance at greatness, he needs to begin around age 3 and then work at it for many years. In business and politics, unusual ability is also recognized early in a SuperAttainer’s career and is followed with many years of continued achievement. In the greatness game, it is the rabbit who wins the
race -- as long as he persists like the tortoise.
2. Contrarian
When in Rome, Don’t Do As the Romans
SuperAttainers generally think of themselves as different and apart from other people. They can often be described as rebellious and
disobedient by those who try to rule over them and are never willing crowd followers. Tremendous success seems to require doing things tremendously different.
Doing things a little better will yield results that are only a little better than others and this is not what SuperAttainers are interested in.
3. Conceited
The Pride Before The Rise
In order for someone to be thought of as great in the minds of others, he must first be thought of as great in his own mind. The tremendous achievements of SuperAttainers seem to be merely a realization in the outer world of what is already in their inner world. Predictably, it is uncommon for such people to be overly shy about describing their abundant abilities. Many SuperAttainers have come to recognize that being known as arrogant does not help their purpose and they do a good job of appearing modest. However, a bit of digging into their personality should uncover a deep feeling of self-significance.
4. Hard-Knocked
Nothing Succeeds Like Suffering
SuperAttainers have often experienced traumatic periods when their careers or even their lives were in great peril. It is during these times that they gain a deep seated feeling of personal vulnerability that can stay with them for the rest of their lives. The advantage to the future SuperAttainer is that they become consumed by the realization that they must accomplish all they can while they have the chance because it can all come crashing down at any time. It is a psychological condition that will drive them to greatness for
the rest of their lives.
5. Loner
One is Company, Two is a Crowd
SuperAttainers are often described by others as dreamers, outsiders, cold-hearted and similar labels often given to loners. They are comfortable spending long periods in the company of themselves to ponder, learn and envisage the future. Many develop a love of solitary activities such as book-reading early in their life. They are not usually enthusiastic participants in team activities except when they are
leading the group.
6. Mentored
& Motivated
Behind Every Great Man are His Parents
Parents often play
the key role in the cultivation and realization of SuperAttainers,
spending immense amounts of time and money to give their offspring
the skills, experiences and relationships required for immense
amounts of success. They tutor baby SuperAttainers from the crib,
send them to the best schools and put them in touch with the best
mentors. It has been shown that mothers, in particular, can play a
strong role if they are supremely confident in their son's innate
abilities and then take devoted and continuing action to develop
them.
7. Discontent
Patience is No Virtue
SuperAttainers have an abnormally intense need for continuous accomplishment. Success does not bring these people a sense of inner peace. There is always someone else to overtake or a higher target to aspire to. They are impatient, dissatisfied and edgy when not engaged in activities that lead to the fulfillment of their personal goals. They seem psychologically unstable in this regard compared with most people.
8. Promoted
Self-Flattery Gets You Everywhere
There have been many great people who have lived and died in the history of our species but nobody knows most of them because their achievements were inadequately documented. In order to be thought of as a great success by large numbers of people, someone needs to be a great success at publicizing the SuperAttainer. In most instances, it is the SuperAttainers
themselves who are great self-promoters. In other cases, another talented person takes on the critically important role.
TWO
TYPES OF SUPERATTAINERS
1. Aristocratic SuperAttainers
Pampered and pompous, these people excel despite having been given it all. They grow up with all the best things, attend the best schools and hobnob with the best minds. Because they are so deeply bonded to a powerful and privileged elite, they are often conservative and elitist. Real change seldom happens with these people in charge. On the plus side, they are less likely to lead themselves and their followers down paths of mutual destruction. Examples of Aristocratic SuperAttainers include: Winston Churchill, Peter the Great, Louis XIV and Frederick the Great.
2. Come-From-
Nothing
SuperAttainers
Rags to riches, these people pull themselves up to greatness through tremendous obstacles. Luck plays a role but most of their success is due to relentless force of character. Since they come from outside the establishment, they can be great agents of change. Unfortunately, they are prone to crash and burning when they inevitably overstretch themselves and their supporters. Examples of Come-From-Nothing SuperAttainers include: Joseph Stalin,
Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Mao Zedong.
Rules
for Managers
Rules
for Self-Help
Rules
for Parents
Men
Vs. Women
The
SuperAttainment Research Center is operated as a CSR
(Corporate Social Responsibility) activity of Chalre
Associates Executive Search to help business people identify and
develop future leaders for their organizations and society at
large.
Chalre
Associates is a regional provider of Executive Search services
in the emerging countries of the Asia Pacific region.
Multinational companies use them to bridge the gap between the local
environment and their world-class requirements in countries like
Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
 +632 892 6703
 +63 908 880 4178
 leaders@chalre.com
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SuperAttainer:
Ferdinand
Magellan
Portugese-
Spanish
Explorer:
Ferdinand
Magellan
Main
Life Accomplishments:
At
a young age of 17 Magellan sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and he
sailed for the king of Spain. He got five ships and left Seville on
September 20, 1519. He sailed around the tip of South America. He found
the westward passage and it was named the Strait of Magellan in his name.
He also found the new ocean and named it the Pacific in honour of its calm
and peaceful waters, and crossed it East to West. His crew moved on to the
Spice Islands and later made it back by sailing around the tip of South
Africa with only 10 men left. Even though he didn't live to the end of the
trip Magellan is still considered the leader of the first circumnavigation
around the world.
Basics:
Born: Spring
1480, Sabrosa, Portugal
Died: April 27, 1521 (41 years) Mactan Island Cebu Philippines
Nationality: Portuguese
Religion: Roman Catholic
Fields: Exploration
Main Accomplishments: He is one of the greatest Portuguese
explorers to ever sail the ocean, first explorer to circumnavigate the
globe and cross the Pacific Ocean
Chronology
of Life Events:
1480
Birth
of Ferdinand Magellan
1505
Ferdinand
Magellan went on his first voyage on the sea at the age of 25 in 1505,
when he was sent to India to install Francisco de Almeida as the
Portuguese viceroy. The voyage gave Magellan his first experience of
battle when a local king, who had paid tribute to Vasco da Gama three
years earlier, refused to pay tribute to Almeida. Almeida's party attacked
and conquered the capital of Kilwa in present-day Tanzania.
1506
Magellan
traveled to the East Indies and joined expeditions to the Spice Islands
(Malacca Island).
Feb.
1509
He
took part in the naval Battle of Diu, which marked the decline of Ottoman
influence in the area.
1510
He
was made a captain. Within a year, however, he had lost his commission
after sailing a ship eastward without permission.
1513
Magellan
was sent to Morocco, where he fought in the Battle of Azamor. In the midst
of the battle, he received a severe knee wound. After taking leave without
permission, he fell out of favor with Almeida, and was also accused of
trading illegally with the Moors. Several of the accusations were
subsequently dropped, but Magellan fell into disfavor at the court of the
new king, Manuel I. He refused to increase Magellan's pension and told him
that there would be no further offers of employment after May 15,
1514
Magellan
therefore decided to offer his services to the court of Spain.
August 10, 1519 ive ships (Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria,
and Santiago) under Magellan's command left Seville and traveled from the
Guadalquivir River to Sanlúcar de Barrameda at the mouth of the river,
where they remained more than five weeks. Spanish authorities were wary of
the Portuguese admiral and almost prevented Magellan from sailing, and
switched his crew of mostly Portuguese men with men of Spain, but on
September 20, Magellan set sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda with about 270
men.
April
27, 1521
Magellan
was killed in the Battle of Mactan against indigenous forces led by
Lapu-Lapu
Early
Life:
Magellan's
parents died when he was ten. At 12, Magellan became a page to King John
II and Queen Eleonora at the royal court at the capital of Lisbon, where
his brother had gone two years before. Here, with his cousin Francisco
Serrano, Magellan continued his education, becoming interested in
geography and astronomy. Some speculate that he may even have been taught
by Martin Behaim. In 1496, Magellan became a squire.
At
age 20, Magellan first went to sea. In 1505 he was sent to India to
install Francisco de Almeida as a Portuguese viceroy there and establish
military and naval bases along the way. It was here that Magellan would
also first experience battle: when a local king refused to pay tribute,
Almeida's party attacked, conquering the Muslim city of Kilwa in
present-day Tanzania.
Magellan
next journeyed to the East Indies in 1506, taking part in expeditions to
the Spice Islands. In 1510, Magellan was promoted to the rank of captain.
However, after secretly sailing a ship east without permission, he lost
his command and was forced to return to Portugal.
In
1511, Magellan was sent to Morocco where he fought in the Battle of Azamor
(August 28 and 29, 1513) and received a severe knee wound while fighting
against the Moorish-Moroccan stronghold. Although wounded and the
recipient of several medals, Magellan was accused of illegal trade with
the Islamic Moors. He had also been involved in conflict with Almeida:
after Magellan took a leave of the army without permission, Almeida gave a
poor report on the sailor to the Portuguese court. Several of the
accusations were subsequently dropped, but Magellan fell into disfavor
with King Manuel I, who refused to raise Magellan's pension.The King also
told Magellan that he would have no further employment in his country's
service after May 15, 1514. Magellan formally renounced his nationality
and went to offer his services to the court of Spain, changing his name
from "Fernão de Magalhães" to "Hernándo
de Magallanes."
Wife
Background:
He
married a lady named Beatriz Barbosa, who was a Spanish cousin of his
friend named Duarte Barbosa.
Father
Background:
Rui
de Magalhães, son of Pedro Afonso de Magalhães and wife Quinta de Sousa.
Mother
Background:
Magellan's
mother was Alda de Mesquita and nothing is known about her except
her name.
SuperAttainer
ANALYSIS SECTION:
1. Early Success
When did the SuperAttainer first display ability
that was greatly above average and what were his accomplishments?
REFERENCES:
1.
2. Contrarian
What actions did the SuperAttainer take that demonstrated a mindset that was very different from those around him?
REFERENCES:
1.
3. Conceited
What are the actions and documented statements that exhibit an elevated sense of self importance of the
SuperAttainer?
REFERENCES:
1.
4. Hard-Knocked
During what events did the SuperAttainer experience personal misery and severe anxiety?
REFERENCES:
1.
5. Loner
Is there evidence of the SuperAttainer being comfortable spending time apart from others?
REFERENCES:
1.
6. Mentored & Motivated
Who was vital to developing the SuperAttainer and guiding his career and what significant actions were taken?
REFERENCES:
1.
7. Discontent
What evidence is there that the SuperAttainer was unsatisfied with even great personal accomplishment?
REFERENCES:
1.
8. Promoted
What actions or events were responsible for
publicizing the tremendous achievements and abilities of the SuperAttainer?
REFERENCES:
1.
Overall
Score:
x
out of 8 = xx%
PASS
SuperAttainer
Type:
Describe the factors in the SuperAttainer’s background to indicate
whether he is a Come-From-Nothing or Aristocratic type..
Conclusion:
Executive Search
& Management Consulting:
Chalre
Associates provides its Executive Search & Management
Consulting services throughout the emerging countries of the Asia Pacific
region with specific focus on Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam
and Singapore.
Regional
Managers use us to help bridge the gap between local environments and
the world-class requirements of multinational corporations.
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