Some people don’t just excel at their jobs—they redefine what success looks like. They’re the ones who don’t just nail their jobs but also expand their influence beyond their original roles. We call them superstars. As I reflected on what makes them so extraordinary, three powerful mindsets came to mind—traits that set them apart.
1. Delivering Outcomes, Not Just Tasks
Superstars don’t simply complete tasks. They focus on outcomes. They know that just ticking boxes or doing more activities won’t deliver better results.
They ask themselves critical questions:
Why are we doing this? What problem are we solving?
Is this task actually driving results?
How can we create the greatest impact? Is there a smarter, more efficient way to achieve this?
They challenge assumptions and rethink ways to achieve the best possible results.
Leaders play a key role in fostering this mindset. I’ve seen bright individuals turn into mere executors, simply following orders. Why? Often, they work with leaders who constantly change direction, or overly dictate the how. This can lead to frustration and disengagement. But great leaders know how to inspire and empower their teams. They provide clarity on the what and why—but leave room for people to figure out the how.
2. Finding Solutions, Not Problems
When I first started my business, I sought advice from investors. Often, their feedback was discouraging. The government can’t solve this problem, so how could you? they’d say. But instead of becoming disheartened, the team focused on solutions. What can we do to make this work? This mindset helped us break barriers and create meaningful change in people’s lives. If we focused on why it can’t work, we wouldn’t make any progress.
Even today, in countless meetings, I hear people talk about the difficulties, constraints, and risks. Yes, acknowledging these challenges is important. However, they shouldn’t dominate the conversation, because that stops us from focusing on solutions.
The superstar mindset doesn’t stop at why something won’t work. Instead, they ask, How can we make it work? What needs to be true? They come with solutions, not just complaints and questions, because they know that’s what moves teams forward.
3. Changing the Inputs to Change the Outputs
Real change doesn’t happen by repeating the same actions and hoping for different results. Superstars know that growth comes from changing how they work. Instead of waiting for external circumstances to change, they create the change they want to see.
This requires stepping out of comfort zones, disrupting routines, and testing new approaches. They embrace the discomfort of change, knowing that it’s a necessary part of growth. They constantly iterate, refine, and adjust their methods with intention, always aiming to get better. For superstars, discomfort is a signal that they’re on the right track—it’s where growth and magic happen.
In the end, what sets superstars apart is their unwavering focus on creating impact. Superstars don’t simply react to the world, the tasks at hand, the problems they encounter, or the status quo. Instead, they shape it. In doing so, they leave behind a legacy of lasting influence.