15 Power traits to be a Super Champion


 We all have champion qualities. For example, the book Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin clearly shows that genius is due more to deliberate practice than natural gifts. He persuasively argues with data that even superstars and child prodigies became great due to relentless practice and hard work. His main argument is this: it gives us fewer excuses for why we cannot be great.

According to Colvin, the two essential ingredients to becoming a total champion are:

  1. Clarity on what you want – You must know exactly what you want. It’s not a “maybe” but a set of clear goals you are completely committed to.

  2. Belief in control – You must believe that if you put in the effort and practice, the goal is attainable.

Here are 15 principles to help unlock your inner greatness:

Courage

This is the courage to believe in your own potential. You have to see the winning before you win. You need to envision yourself where you want to be before the actual victory happens. This takes immense courage because you’re betting on yourself before anyone else does.

Courage also means choosing your own path, even when it’s unpopular. It’s resisting the pull of conformity and embracing your unique journey. The world may question your path, but your inner conviction will keep you going.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings

Clarity

Champions are crystal clear about what they want. They don’t operate with vague aspirations—they define specific goals and commit to them fully. That clarity becomes their compass.

Clarity also helps in saying no. When you know what matters most, you can eliminate distractions, stay focused, and avoid being pulled into other people’s agendas. It’s not just about goal-setting—it’s about purposeful living.

"You can say no to a lot of things if you have a burning Yes." - Stephen Covey

Honesty

Once you have the courage to believe in your potential you need to be totally honest with yourself. You need to do a skills assessment and determine where you truly are now with respect to where you want to be. As Jim Collins says be brutally honest with yourself. If you are totally honest with yourself you will take the necessary action to move to the next level.

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” – Thomas Jefferson

Hunger

Talent fades without hunger. Champions have a relentless desire to grow and excel. Hunger is what gets you out of bed before others and keeps you working when others stop.

This hunger is not about comparison but about chasing your own peak. It’s that deep, internal drive to maximize your potential and not settle for “good enough.” Champions stay hungry, even after wins.

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs

Attitude

If as the research says it takes 10000 hours of effort to reach expert level that is a lot of years. Of course in the latest book Range by David Epstein he argues it is better to be a generalist than a specialist. However, if we are going to persist that long to reach our own form of greatness we need to have a great attitude. Attitude is the only thing in our control. The events that happen in our lives is totally out of our control or at least some of it. It is how we react to the inevitable setbacks we face during our journey to our own super bowl that will determine if we do last the distance. Writing in a journal is a great way to maintain a good attitude. Also associating with positive people keeps your attitude in tip top shape.

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar

Adaptability

The path to success is rarely straight. Champions adjust strategies without losing sight of the goal. Whether you’re changing industries or shifting roles, adaptability is essential.

In a fast-changing world, adaptability is a superpower. It’s not about abandoning your dream—it’s about evolving how you get there. Champions see change not as a threat, but as a chance to grow.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, but the most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin

Mastery

This is all about focus and concentration. Decide exactly what you want and then determine what you need to learn to reach that level of excellence. Of course, if it is a sport it is much easier to know what the next steps are. However, if you are in a leadership position it is not a straightforward route to practice. However, some of the ways you can do practice is identify the experts in your field, read their blogs, read their books, connect with them, listen to their podcasts, take certifications, document what you learn and share what you learn. We will never reach mastery but we should always strive for it. 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle

Momentum

Momentum is built through consistent action. Even small steps, taken daily, lead to big wins over time. Champions don’t wait for motivation—they create it through movement.

Building systems and habits creates self-sustaining progress. You don’t need perfect days—just consistent ones. Momentum transforms effort into excellence.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Passion

I know even Cal Newport wrote that don’t follow your passion. However, I do think all champions in general are passionate about what they do. For example, we can’t imagine if Roger Federer would have made it without passion for tennis. Yes, there are some people who put in so much effort to overcome lack of passion but as it has been well documented will power never lasts. One of the other keys to passion is the ability to switch off from the main work and have a hobby to commit to. If your hobby is your profession then you need to find another hobby because doing just one thing all 7 days can lead to burnout. Become passionate about what you do and eventually you will enjoy doing it by mentioning the benefits you get by doing it.

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey

Purpose

Purpose is what gives your work meaning. It’s the “why” behind the effort. Champions align their goals with a deeper mission, whether it’s family, impact, or legacy.

Purpose fuels resilience. When setbacks come—and they will—your purpose reminds you why it’s worth continuing. It becomes the emotional anchor in stormy times.

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy

Inspiration

Champions stay inspired. They draw energy from books, mentors, art, music, stories, and experiences. They proactively seek what elevates their thinking. Inspiration also comes from within—through reflection, journaling, and celebrating small wins. Stay connected to what uplifts you, because motivation isn’t permanent—but inspiration can be renewed.

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso

Intention

Every action should align with your goals. Champions don’t move on autopilot—they act with precision and purpose. Intention separates busy work from impactful work.

Before saying yes, they ask: “Does this get me closer to my goal?” Champions live intentionally—from the way they spend their mornings to the way they interact with others.

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Optimism

Optimism is the number one skill that all champions possess. For example, Federer can lose a set 6-0 to Nadal in the French open but in the next 2 weeks he can come back and win Wimbledon. This can be achieved only if you know how to leave the past behind and focus on future. There is nothing we can do about the past but we can focus on the future. Optimism is also the key to resilience. Champions do find a way to always look for the good in every setback.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

Ownership

Champions own everything—the wins and the losses. They don’t blame others or circumstances. They take full responsibility for their growth. Ownership brings power. When you stop blaming, you start building. You take control of your time, effort, and trajectory. Champions are accountable first and foremost to themselves.

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” – Winston Churchill

Never Give Up

Finally never give up. This is obvious but I would like to give a distinction here. As Seth Godin eloquently wrote in the Dip you must quit some things that are truly not working. If I am learning the piano for example and I find it painful I should subordinate my ego and quit it as I am not making any progress. However, if there is something that truly can help my work then in those instances I should never give up as it is something that truly will help me. Winners do quit but they quit the areas where they cannot be the best in. Focus on your area of excellence and never give up in those areas.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

There you have it: 15 principles to help you unlock your inner champion and rise to your highest potential.

The views expressed in this article are my own and do not represent my organization.


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