It may be difficult to exactly apportion success in life to each ingredient, but hearing those who hit the top, it is clear that they do not speak of college degrees as key attributes to their success. Many refer to childhood learning from their parents, being the first influence on them, as single major reason for success. Research says that characteristics in a 26 year old are similar to those possessed by him at a pre-school age of 3 years. It is not that education does not matter, it instils knowledge and enforces belief and confidence yet leadership positions on top in all institutions need characteristics that are beyond teachings of universities. Interestingly even money cannot buy these. Fifteen such qualities are listed below.

1. Courage

Courage is among the most important attributes of great leaders – courage to dream big, courage to tread onto the unknown and courage to take bold decisions.

2. Creativity

Creativity requires stillness of mind and imagination and triggers new neural networks. Some people have it in them, most don’t. With their antennas up all the time, universe sends them new ideas. Creativity can be aimless at times yet may end up serving the world.

3. Calm / Emotion management

Ups and downs in life are common and so are daily hurts. Few keep calm in all situations and steer their life ahead to achieve goals without agitation.

4. Common sense

Common sense is rare and an uncommon trait, requires deep understanding of people and situations and triggers matured response to situations and people, knowing exactly what to say and do and when.

5. Compassion

People can feel it in their dealings with others and it makes them willing to reciprocate similarly. Compassion makes the world a better place and happier to live in.

6. Spirituality

Spirituality helps to differentiate between good and bad, keeps the course of life on the righteous path, restraints one to pursue convenience.

7. Sense of humour

People with sense of humour lighten the environment, energize and cheer the surrounding with their presence.

8. Resilience

Life offers hardy situations. Resilient rise after each fall in life and fight all obstacles till the end.

9. Empathy

Empathy makes us wiser in our connects, it sweetens relations.

10. Etiquettes

Etiquettes and mannerisms always appeal and lend finesse and class to personality.

11. Humility

Humble in society have least number of enemies. They waste no time regretting their tongue. They evoke support from all corners.

12. Gratitude

While yearning and ambition are understood, thankfulness for all one has got in life is a great quality. Gratitude also means giving credit to others for your achievements, it motivates self and others.

13. Commitment

Grit and commitment are decisive in choosing between quitting and pursuing. To persist is to succeed.

14. Loyalty

Faithful adherence to norms and devotion to a cause in good and bad times evokes appreciation and reciprocity from friends and colleagues.

15. Happiness

If we see water from the desert it offers us mirage. World is like a desert. Happiness dependant on external objects and situations is illusory and temporary. It’s source is within us, we need to turn inwards and meditate. Status, money or education without happiness become meaningless. Happiness is the goal both at work and home. Happy men create happier world.

Please suggest and add the characteristics that you think are missed out, to the list above.