Successful leaders are investors.  They invest their personal time, energy, money and resources in others.  This is a strategic decision because you can accomplish far more through others than you can accomplish alone.  But in addition to being a mindful decision, investing is an attitude.

Daymond John is one of the well-known members of the ABC hit series Shark Tank.  This is one of my favorite programs because it clearly demonstrates how successful leaders think and what they value.  It also shows why ideas succeed or fail.  Read 50 Qualities Of A Successful Leader From Mark Cuban, Daymond John And Members Of Shark Tank for examples.

Recently, John was interviewed in the August 2015 edition on Inc. magazine.  The successful venture capitalist revealed his thoughts on who he invests in and why.   In short, John invests in people, not companies.  

The following are 9 Practices Of Highly Successful People Worth Investing In I gleaned from the article:

  1. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Have Experienced Failure – John is drawn to people who have previously failed but showed the determination to keep coming back.
  2. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Are Problem Solvers – This makes them low-maintenance.
  3. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Have Common Goals – This allows John to have an on-going relationship with someone in another space if their initial business venture does not work out.
  4. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Have A Deep Passion For The Business – They own the results.  John invested in restauranteur Al “Bubba” Baker when Baker mentioned professional football was a career, but barbecue was his passion.
  5. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Have A Defined Process With Proven Results – John traditionally turned down offers in the food business but Baker had patented a process to debone ribs.
  6. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Are Highly Disciplined – Being a former professional athlete, Baker had obvious discipline.  On a personal note from someone with a home office, it has been my experience people who work from home or other non-office environments, their success is largely determined by their discipline or a lack thereof.
  7. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Are Resourceful – They figure it out.  As an investor, John can only do so much after providing upfront capital and resources.  He is then looking for people who do not take “No” for an answer and figure out ways to overcome obstacles and succeed.
  8. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Have Digital Intelligence – Many of today’s successful businesses are taking non-traditional approaches to engaging customers.  When considering an investment in Bombas socks, John was impressed that co-founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg sold most of their products primarily through Facebook ads.  This approach put them “one step away from the customer”.
  9. Highly Successful People Worth Investing In Are Extravagantly Generous – Look for people who are giving back to the community and others. Bombas donates a pair of socks to homeless shelters for every pair sold.

Experience Failure But Keep Coming Back, Problem Solving, Having Common Goals, Passion, Proven Results, Discipline, Resourcefulness, Digital Intelligence and Extravagant Generosity.  If  you practice these nine qualities you too may be someone worth investing in.

What is one area from this list you can improve in today?

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