There are a lot of things that contribute to getting to the top.  We would all like to think this list is restricted to things like hard work, competence, integrity, etc.  Unfortunately getting to the top can also come through some less savory avenues, such as bribery, nepotism, and manipulation, to name a few.

The really interesting thing is that while these avenues can get you to the top they don’t work very well at keeping you at the top.  You might get your 15 minutes of glory, but these behaviors, and others like them, are simply not sustainable for the long-run.

So, what does it take to STAY at the top?

First, be a person of character.  By that I mean, be honest and trustworthy.  The only people other people desire to follow are people who tell the truth and can be relied upon to do what they say they will do. Lying, cheating, and scheming may seem to be the norm, but look at the long-term leaders of the respected companies and you will see an emphasis upon character and integrity.

Second, treat others with dignity and respect.  Treat them as you would like to be treated yourself.  Do this as a genuine expression of who you are, not as a gimmick to manipulate people. This applies to employees as well as customers.  If you don’t care enough for either group to be able to extend this respect, it won’t be long before you lose the respect of those who follow you.  Soon you will discover your company is really only as good as the people who make it work, and you can’t do it on your own.

Third, demonstrate passion for your business and how it contributes to the lives of your customers and to your people in providing jobs and benefits.  People who go through the motions or do their jobs merely in the service of monetary gain are rarely happy people.  On the other hand, when you’ve found your passion and you are fully engaged, the effect is obvious to everyone around you and contributes to your ability to bring others to join you.

Think about these three things; lay them alongside your current behavior, how do you match up?  What one thing can you do this next week to re-focus an area of your life to match one of these points?