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:
Isoroku Yamamoto
Japanese
Military Commander:
Isoroku
Yamamoto
Main
Life Accomplishments:
Was
a Fleet Admiral (Gensui) and Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet
during World War II, graduate of Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and
alumnus of the U.S. Naval War College and Harvard University
(1919–1921).
Yamamoto held several important posts in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and
undertook many of its changes and reorganizations, especially its
development of naval aviation. He was the commander-in-chief during the
decisive early years of the Pacific War and was so responsible for major
battles such as Pearl Harbor and Midway. He died during an inspection tour
of forward positions in the Solomon Islands when his transport aircraft
was ambushed by American P-38 Lightning fighter planes. His death was a
major blow to Japanese military morale during World War II.
Basics:
Born:
Born 4 April 1884 in Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan
Died: Died 18 April 1943 (59 years old) at Solomon Islands
Nationality: Japanese
Fields: Military
Main Accomplishments: Japanese admiral who planned the attack
on Pearl Harbor.
Chronology
of Life Events:
Apr
4, 1884
Birth
of Isoroku Yamamoto
1904
Yamamoto served on the cruiser Nisshin during the Russo-Japanese War.
1914
He
returned to the Naval Staff College
1916
He
became lieutenant commander
1923
He
was promoted to captain
1924
He
changed his specialty from gunnery to naval aviation.
1928
His
first command was the cruiser Isuzu
1931
Yamamoto
personally opposed the invasion of Manchuria
Nov
15, 1940
He
was promoted to full admiral
Jan
1941
Yamamoto
went even farther and proposed a radical revision of Japanese naval
strategy
Dec
4, 1941
Yamamoto
had planned, the First Air Fleet of six carriers armed with about 390
planes
Feb
27, 1942
Under
Yamamoto's able subordinates, Vice Admirals Ozawa, Kondo and Takahashi,
the Japanese swept the inadequate remaining American, British, Dutch and
Australian naval assets from the Netherlands East Indies in a series of
amphibious landings and surface naval battles that culminated in the
Battle of the Java
Jun
1942
Yamamoto's
plan for the MI was an extension of his efforts to knock the U.S. Pacific
Fleet out of action long enough for Japan to fortify her defensive
perimeter in the Pacific island chains
Apr
18, 1942
Yamamoto,
the itinerary revealed, would be flying from Rabaul to Ballalae Airfield,
on an island near Bougainville in the Solomon Islands.
Death of Yamamoto
Early
Life:
Yamamoto
was born Isoroku Takano in Nagaoka, Niigata. His father was Sadayoshi
Takano, a lower-ranking samurai of Nagaoka-Han. "Isoroku" is an
old Japanese term meaning "56"; the name referred to his
father's age at Isoroku's birth.
In 1916, Isoroku was adopted into the Yamamoto family and took the
Yamamoto name. It was a common practice for Japanese families lacking sons
to adopt suitable young men in this fashion to carry on the family name.
In 1918, Isoroku married a woman named Reiko with whom he had four
children: two sons and two daughters.
After graduating from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1904,
Yamamoto served on the cruiser Nisshin during the Russo-Japanese War. He
was wounded at the Battle of Tsushima, losing two fingers (the index and
middle fingers) on his left hand. He was later nicknamed “80 sen” by
some of his favorite geisha because of this disability. He returned to the
Naval Staff College in 1914, emerging as a lieutenant commander in 1916.
Wife
Background:
Yamamoto
realized the time was correct to get married, and on August 31, 1918,
Yamamoto and Reiko were married at the Navy Club in Shiba, Tokyo. On April
4, 1919, Yamamoto travelled to America aboard the Suwa Maru. They got
married for the purpose of producing sons to keep the family name alive.
This is exactly what Isoroku did. In 1918, he got married to Reiko, who,
ironically, was from Watkamatsu. They had 4 children together, 2 sons, and
2 daughters. It was the standard Japanese family, the mother in charge of
the household and of raising the children. He never really loved her,
because he had many extramarital affairs, and 2 of the women he loved. The
life and times in Japan right before World War 2 are simply explained.
Father
Background:
Takano
Sadayoshi, was a former member of the Japanese Samurai class.
In
1908, the sublieutenant served aboard the Maezuru, in Manchurian waters.
In 1911, Isoroku was promoted to Lieutenant, moving slowly up the chain of
experience and promotion in a peacetime navy. Isoroku's father died on
February 21, 1912, and around this time, his mother fell gravely ill
Mother
Background:
His
mother fell gravely ill. He received military leave, to tend to his dying
mother. He wanted to quit the navy, but his mother would not let him.
In
August, 1912, Isoroku's mother died. In 1913, Isoroku's career moved into
high gear. He received an appointment to the Naval Staff College at
Tsukiji. In 1915, Isoroku was promoted to lieutenant commander.
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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