The problem with following role models

People say, “Success leaves clues.” The advice you often hear is find someone who achieved something you want to achieve, watch them carefully, repeat their steps, and you will achieve success too. 

It is useful, but to a point.

There is one big problem with this approach.  Each of us has a unique set of assets (talents, experiences, family, connections, personality, etc.).  The person you are watching from afar and emulating as closely as possible will have a very different set of assets. Plus, they will have a different value system. What they will value in life will differ from what you value. The missing ingredient in this advice is to carefully study (if such information is accessible):

WHY someone does something, not only WHAT they do. 

You also need good visibility on HOW they do it. This is something that most people will not be willing to openly share with you. Alternatively, they may give you some of the steps but leave out a few details that make the process they shared with you ineffective.

Noteworthy

This program aimed to drive improvements through Abhi, a mid-level executive with developing skills. We chose a strategy that required minimal new skills. The program shows how we managed to achieve outsized results without overwhelming Abhi. Starting with a stalled career and concerns that he will never get promoted again, Abhishek was promoted twice and now leads the team implementing the new engineering system for clients. (Available for Insiders and Legacy members on StrategyTraining.com.)

Take it one step further: successful people are not copycats of someone else.

Successful works are not copycats of something else. Take the Succeeding as a Management Consultant premium book (available only within the Strategy Control Room Advanced).

When I was dreaming to become a management consultant, I wanted to know what it feels like to be on a consulting engagement. But there were no books out there that allowed you to feel like you are on an actual consulting engagement conducted by a major firm.

The idea for this book was to create the FIRST book that allows someone to feel that they are on an actual consulting engagement, and training them along the way to be a strong consultant as well.

Now this book is used around the world as required reading at universities. I received many emails from professors mentioning they are using it as prescribed reading for a course. Below is a screenshot from the email correspondence with one of such professors. 

The same is true for every other piece of work FC published.

We think about what we wish existed, we create it from scratch, and the world is better off. You can do the same thing...

Now, to know WHY someone is doing something, you need access to this person. Ideally, you need to be able to ask questions. Or they need to have the intention to explain to you WHY they are doing something and HOW they are doing it if you don't have direct access to this person.

FC Insiders and Legacy members know that we are focused on teaching you how to think critically, teaching you the why behind actions, versus just sharing the steps we took to accomplish particular results for ourselves or with our clients.  

Knowing the steps is NEVER enough.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Take care,

Kris Safarova

P.S. If you want to have role models focused on the WHY, not just the WHAT and the HOW, join as a member on StrategyTraining.com (scroll down to membership options). If you've been watching us from afar and are finally considering joining as a member, my recommendation is to start with Insider or Legacy membership. Insider will immediately unlock access to some of our most advanced programs.

And Legacy includes everything in Insider, plus additional advanced training, plus twice a month Legacy members can get tailored answer from Michael/me to their specific question, taking into account their unique situation. What makes Legacy different is that we have never had a situation where a Legacy member submitted a question and did not have input from us for their most pressing question. It's not one of those memberships where you have a 1% chance of getting input. We are there for the members. So take advantage of it. It is very easy to get a great ROI on a Legacy membership. It just requires prioritizing getting input and quick integration. This is your chance to have Michael and me as your mentors at a price affordable for most business professionals.