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.
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892 6703
 +63
908 880 4178
 leaders@chalre.com
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SuperAttainer:
William Wallace
Scottish Leader:
William
Wallace
Main
Life Accomplishments:
Was
a knight and Scottish patriot who led a resistance to the English
occupation of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Technically, having sworn fealty to the English King, Wallace can also be
correctly labelled a traitor.
Wallace was the inspiration for the poem The Acts and Deeds of Sir William
Wallace, Knight of Elderslie by the 15th century minstrel Blind Harry.
This work is purported to be a piece of creative writing, creating a
myth-history rather than empirical historical document, and is responsible
for much of the legend encompassing Wallace. The 1995 fictious film
Braveheart is based on the poem.
Basics:
Born:
Born c.1270s
in Elderslie,
Scotland
Died: August
23, 1305
Nationality: Scottish
Religion:
Fields: Military
Main Accomplishments: Basis of fiction biopic Braveheart.
Chronology
of Life Events:
c.
1270
Birth
of William Wallace
1296
- 1297
Wallace
was involved in several actions where the English invariably lost.
May
1297
The
young maiden Wallace courted and married in Blind Harry's tale.
Jul
1297
Wallace
left Selkirk Forest with his followers to join Andrew
Moray at Stirling.
Sep
11 1297
Wallace
won the Battle
of Stirling Bridge
1298
Wallace
lost the Battle
of Falkirk.
Apr
1 1298
The
English invaded Scotland at Roxburgh
Sep
1298
Wallace
had decided to resign as Guardian of Scotland in favour of Robert Bruce, Earl
of Carrick, and John
Comyn of Badenoch,
ex-King John Balliol's brother-in-law. Wallace left with William Crawford
1302
Wallace
spurned such moves towards peace.
1303
Squire
Guthrie
was sent to France to ask Wallace and his men to return to Scotland,
Aug
5, 1305
Wallace
evaded capture by the English
Aug
23, 1305
Wallace
was taken from the hall, stripped naked and dragged through the city at
the heels of a horse to Smithfield
Market. He was executed.
Early
Life:
Wallace's
birthdate and birthplace are disputed. While some suggest Wallace was born
around 1270, the 16th century work History of William Wallace and Scottish
Affairs claims 1276 as his year of birth. Traditionally his birthplace is
claimed to be Elderslie, near Paisley in Renfrewshire, although it has
been suggested that his birthplace was closer to Rowlands Gill, an
alternative name for Derwent Park, near Hurlford and Kilmarnock in
Ayrshire. In support of the Elderslie origins some proposed that William's
traditional father—known as Malcolm Wallace until recently when David
Wallace's seal was found — David Wallace of Low Fell, a knight and
vassal to James the Steward, actually came from Riccarton, Ayrshire, near
Loudoun.
At the time of Wallace's birth, King Alexander III had reigned for over
twenty years. His rule had seen a period of peace and economic stability,
and he had successfully fended off continuing English claims to
sovereignty. In 1286, Alexander died after falling from his horse. None of
his children survived him. The Scottish lords declared Alexander's four
year-old granddaughter, Margaret (called "the Maid of Norway"),
Queen. Due to her age the Scottish lords set up an interim government to
administer Scotland until she came of age. King Edward I of England took
advantage of the instability by arranging the Treaty of Birgham with the
lords, betrothing Margaret to his son, Edward, on the understanding that
Scotland would preserve its status as a separate kingdom. Margaret,
however, fell ill and died at only seven years old (1290) on her way from
her native Norway to Scotland. A number of claimants to the Scottish
throne came forward almost immediately.
Wife
Background:
Marion
Cornellia Braidfute born ABT 1276 in Lamington, Scotland died, May 1297
(Executed by William Hezelrig, Sheriff of Lanark).
In
revenge Wallace killed the sheriff in revenge and rises up against the
English. However there is no solid evidence of Wallace ever being married
to a Marion Braidfute, and many historians believe Wallace did not fight
for a woman but only for his country’s freedom. Although this
possibility is considered to perhaps be true, that indeed Wallace's
wife/spouse was killed by the unspeakable Heselrig after a unsucessful
attempt to capture Wallace after his wife/spouses family had aided his
escape. Wallace in revenge gathered some desperate men and fell by night
on the Sheriff and his armed guard, with Wallace himself slaying the
Sheriff, legend says hewing him into pieces with his sword, and then
burning the buildings with the English guards inside. From here on there
was no turning back, for the first time one of the high officials of the
hated conquerers had been slain and a ripple of unrest and jubilation soon
spread through the opressed Scottish.
Father
Background:
Sir
Malcolm Wallace was Lord of Elderslie, Scotland, and father of the William
Wallace. He was born in 1249 and married Lady Margaret Craufurd. They had
five children: Two older girls, then Malcolm 2nd, Sir William, and Sir
John. When Sir Malcolm and his son Malcolm 2nd refused to swear allegiance
to Edward I of England, they stole away in hiding for several months. Upon
their return, at the Battle of Loudoun Hill, they were ambushed by the
English and killed brutally.
Malcolm Wallace died on 23 Aug 1305
Mother
Background:
Margaret
Craufurd, a daughter of the Craufurds of Loudon, the hereditary sheriffs
of Ayr. From this acorn, grew the Wallace oak at Elderslie and to this day
the town with its magnificent Wallace Monument is hailed as the birthplace
of William Wallace.
Who
was married to his father Sir Malcolm Wallace of Riccarton near Kilmarnock
in Ayrshire.
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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