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:
Johannes
Gutenberg

Inventor
of Printing Press:
Johannes
Gutenberg
Main
Life Accomplishments:
Johannes
Gutenberg was credited with inventing movable type printing in Europe (ca.
1450). His major work, the Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line
bible, has been acclaimed for its high aesthetic and technical quality.
The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten
manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in Europe,
and upon woodblock printing, and revolutionized European book-making.
Gutenberg's printing technology spread rapidly throughout Europe and is
considered a key factor in the European Renaissance. Gutenberg remains a
towering figure in the popular image; in 1999, the A&E Network ranked
Gutenberg #1 on their "People of the Millennium" countdown, and
in 1997, Time–Life magazine picked Gutenberg's invention as the most
important of the second millennium.
Basics:
Born:
Born 1400 in Mainz, Holy Roman Empire
Died: Died February 3, 1468 ( 68 years old) at Mainz, Holy Roman
Empire
Nationality: German
Fields: Science
Main Accomplishments: Famous inventor of movable type from
Germany.
Chronology
of Life Events:
1400
Birth
of Johannes Gutenberg
1419
He
may have studied at the University of Erfurt.
1434
His
father died and upon his death, Johannes is mentioned in the inheritance
proceedings letter by Johannes indicates that he was living in Strasbourg,
where he had some relatives on his mother's side
1437
There
is evidence that he was instructing a wealthy tradesman on polishing gems,
but where he had acquired this knowledge is unknown.
1436
- 1437
his
name also comes up in court in connection with a broken promise of
marriage to a woman from Strasbourg, Ennelin
1439
Gutenberg
was involved in a misadventure making mirrors for pilgrims to Aachen
He lived in Strasbourg, most likely in the St. Arbogast suburb
1448
He
was back in Mainz, where he took out a loan from his brother-in-law Arnold
Gelthus, presumably for a printing press.
1450
The
press was most likely in operation, and a German poem had been printed,
possibly the first item to be printed there
1455
Gutenberg
published his 42-line Bible, commonly known as the Gutenberg Bible. In
this year there was a dispute between Gutenberg and Fust
1462
Gutenberg
was exiled
Jan
14, 1465
Gutenberg's
achievements were recognized and he was given the title Hofmann (gentleman
of the court) by von Nassau
1468
Gutenberg
died
1504
He
was mentioned as the inventor of typography in a book by Professor Ivo
Wittig.
Early
Life:
Gutenberg
was born in the German city of Mainz, the youngest son of the upper-class
merchant Friele Gensfleisch zur Laden, and his second wife Else Wyrich,
who was the daughter of a shopkeeper. According to some accounts Friele
was a goldsmith for the bishop at Mainz, but most likely he was involved
in the cloth trade. Gutenberg's year of birth is not known; it was
certainly between 1394 and 1404, most likely around 1400.
At the time, patricians in Mainz were often named after the houses they
owned, and around 1427, the name zu Gutenberg, after the family house in
Mainz, is documented for the first time. This house had previously been
known as "Judenberg," Jewish Hill. According to historian John
Man, "In the 1282 pogrom, fifty-four Jewish properties were abandoned
and were grabbed by the rich and powerful. It seems that the Gutenberg
house fell to the archbishop's treasurers. It was later acquired by the
great-great-grandfather of our inventor and stayed in the family."
In 1411, there was an uprising in Mainz against the patricians, and more
than a hundred families were forced to leave. The Gutenbergs may have
moved to Eltville am Rhein (Alta Villa), where his mother had an inherited
estate. He may have studied at the University of Erfurt, where there is a
record of a student in 1419 named Johannes de Alta villa. Following his
father's death in 1419, he is mentioned in the inheritance proceedings.
Nothing is known of Gutenberg's life for the next fifteen years, but in
March 1434, a letter by him indicates that he was living in Strasbourg,
where he had some relatives on his mother's side. He also appears to have
been a goldsmith member enrolled in the Strasbourg militia. In 1437, there
is evidence that he was instructing a wealthy tradesman on polishing gems,
but where he had acquired this knowledge is unknown. In 1436/37 his name
also comes up in court in connection with a broken promise of marriage to
a woman from Strasbourg, Ennelin. Whether the marriage actually took place
is not recorded.
Father
Background:
Friele
Gensfleisch zur Laden was an upper-class merchant. According to some
accounts Friele was a goldsmith for the bishop at Mainz, but most likely
he was involved in the cloth trade.
Mother
Background:
Else
Wyrich was the daughter of a shopkeeper.

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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