I almost called this 'the trait I most admire' but that gets into honesty, kindness etc.
This is more about the one professional trait that actually makes me want to keep talking to someone or get to know them.
At least for me, there’s a certain type of person I could talk to for hours and others who I simply cannot stand the small or “normie” talk.
“Normie shit” is how I refer to this.
Which might be a bit harsh, and for the record this doesn’t mean I dislike or look down on the individuals.
Instead they just seem to lack this specific trait that I value above almost everything else (aside from the obvious stuff) and when it comes to focusing on building something real, founding something, growing — there’s just no place for the normie shit to be in the same conversation.
20 minutes on the weekend with people you like, fine. 3 minutes with a neighbour to be polite, absolutely. But hours that could change how you think about what you're building? Not when people can't see the vision.
This divergence doesn't relate to absolute success either.
Industry, careers or even just aligning interests don’t matter in this frame.
Having similar interests and industries can help but it’s dwarfed in importance.
It’s interesting and fun to chat to people who are successful but if they lacked this trait, it would always seem like they were lacking something.
Someone who’s extremely successful but lacking in X just doesn’t sit right.
In the UK as well it’s tough to get this out of some people, to see if they have it.
It’s seen as egotistical to discuss in some settings.
Any guesses?
The trait?
Ambition.
With clarity and a plan to achieve it too.
Without clarity or a plan, ambition is delusion or naivety.
With a plan, the skills, some resources and grit, even if success seems unlikely it's incredibly interesting and engaging.
This doesn’t have to be business related either.
Ambition in mastery of a craft, a physical endeavor, a sport.
Doesn’t really matter what the actual thing is, what matters is just the attempt of mastery and the ambition behind it.
This is why I love most founders.
And why my next business, the real shit, focuses on founders itself.
They are ambitious, interesting people.