Written by Anna Kornilovich
What does the word success mean to you? Does it require being a leader and standing out among other people? Do we have a universal recipe for being successful?
Nowadays, being successful means leading people and gaining recognition from everybody around you. It seems like without proving you are better than others, it is impossible to feel useful. That is one of the reasons why everyone is striving towards leading positions inside teams. These thoughts lead us to the main question: is it really obligatory to be a leader if you want to be successful?
Let’s approach this topic using the example I learned not so long ago. It is the story of Canadian astronaut Christopher Austin Hadfield, who worked within a team for most of his life. In his book ‘An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth’, he wrote about the benefits of being ‘a zero’ in a team. Being ‘a zero’ means to do exactly as much as required for successful work: not harming your team’s work, nor standing out at the same time. At the initial stages of his work on the ISS, he himself adhered to this rule. Hadfield did what was required for the successful completion of the mission: he used his knowledge and abilities wherever he could be useful. Yet, he did not seek special recognition, it found him. The result of the whole team was a success for each participant.
This is an excellent example of a person who was willing to share his knowledge with others and we can still call him a leader although he was not a real one inside the team. He achieved incredible results, even though he wasn’t standing out. It clearly shows that sometimes it’s much more important not to be a leader, but to do what you are good at and what you really like.
The main lesson from this story is that the process of becoming a successful person is not about trying to be better than the people around you. The most important thing is to use your own knowledge and skills in a right way. Not seeking for any special recognition, not trying to get all the prizes after all the work is done, but enjoying the process and appreciating the mutual result. You might not be a leader in a group, but you must remember that the success your team gained is your own achievement as well.
For me, being successful in ESTIEM means using and improving my skills in every project I participate in. We inspire each other, learn something from every member of the team and improve ourselves continuously. And I believe that I can inspire at least one ESTIEMer to work for their dreams and not to feel the need to be a leader in order to be successful. Be yourself, try new things and be a part of your team’s success!
