Anyone who desires to reach the utmost height possible must exhibit several traits. Firstly, there has to be value for time. Some would say time is money, but in reality time is more precious than money. You can use time to make money, but there is no way you use money to make time. To excel, punctuality must be the watchword. Secondly, those who would be successful must pass the tensile test. In the quest for a breakthrough, there will be times of pressure and difficulty. Tensile test is the ability to weather the storms. Thirdly, there must be a focus on talent or innate abilities. Hardly do people succeed outside of their areas of competence. Largely, it is easier to develop competence where you already have natural endowments.

“The test of honesty is money; the test of integrity is power”.

As important as these traits are, long-term success may still be elusive if one fails the trust test. One Dele Sobowale said in an article, “The test of honesty is money; the test of integrity is power”. This is correct, though the subject of honesty goes beyond money matters. A dishonest person is untrustworthy. Dishonest people lie habitually; they are secretive, deceptive, and manipulative. These traits undermine trust and destroy relationships. Because success is a product of relationships, those who fail to maintain relationships through dishonesty will fail in life.