The X Factor personality

What makes some team members achieve the next steps in their career faster when it seems you have been in the queue for the promotion/opportunity longer (and deserve it too)? How is it that they are always in the right place at the right time; naturally attract friendship or respect from the senior leadership; and manage to be within the inner circle? They have this magnetic pull that gets them noticed.

This is the X Factor.

No singing or dancing required, but what are the qualities of people with the X Factor? We can all see that a person has an X Factor, but it is never easy to indicate what qualities make them have ‘it’.

It is often thought that that the X Factor qualities are innate, rather than learned. Whilst some people are predisposed towards ‘it’, you can definitely cultivate ‘it’.

Here are some tips and hints on the enigmatic X Factor quality in the workplace:

1. They have a unique interest that allows anyone to be able to engage and relate. Whether it is a love of a particular sport, a clothing style, hobby, music. Do you notice that X Factor people manage to strike up an engaging non-work related discussions and avoid the awkward conversation or silences that often occur? Because of their unique interest, it can be a topic over the water cooler or whilst waiting for a taxi, and because it genuinely is a passion, their body language is positive.

2. Drive and passion. There is no mistaking it, X Factor people are genuinely working towards their next achievement. They have a drive and willing to work for it. But their drive is linked to their passion. Notice how their (first) passion isn’t to earn more money? It’s the content of their work that excites them and they are driven to achieve outcomes in their work content, whether it is sales or policy. They display an authentic interest in what they do.

3. Wise/Smart/Intelligent. Have you ever noticed that an X Factor person can have very little knowledge on the subject matter, but yet be a go-to person? They bring more to the table than just an exhaustive knowledge on a topic. Because they have drive and passion, they genuinely engage in the topic and bring in their relevant experiences forward. Its important to differentiate wise from expert. Being an expert doesn’t make you wise.

4. Resilience. Whilst it may not traditionally show, X Factor people are much more resilient to changes and U-turns. They are the stalwart that can see the vision, even if the road changes. As a result, they can see the positives in a difficult situation and naturally respond to them, persevering in times of uncertainty. How else do they seem to position themselves so well? By identifying better coping mechanisms and maintaining sight on the vision, they are less likely to fall into the trap of mediocrity.

5. Compassionate. This is not always a quality that embodies leadership, but kindness and compassion are qualities that generally attract people and make them feel more at ease. X Factor people may not show the obvious signs, but their thinking and attitude, particularly to their staff highlight genuine kindness and consideration.

6. Smile. Not the grinning, or the weird Sheldon-Cooper smile, but the ability to make your face light up (with the wrinkles in all the right places – smile lines!). Warm people are much easier to engage with and naturally attract others. Smiles are contagious and produce positive feelings. This is great for stakeholder relationships, regardless of whether it is your boss, a client or member of the public.

7. Grooming. Their appearance fits the industry they are in. The office is no place for a Lady Gaga, equally the grey suit and tie wouldn’t fit into a high-tech IT company. X Factor people fit the perceived style and appearance associated with the careers. This makes them approachable. They wear the suit of the position they want and therefore engage those that are already at the level they are pursing.

8. Visionary. The most important of all, they have a vision (work and play) and have an ability to articulate what that vision may be, even if the route has to change. There are many other similar qualities (often associated with leadership), honesty, loyalty, dedicated, generous, mentoring, integrity that all encompass the qualities of an X Factor. Look at those around you in the office and see which qualities they display.

Remember, authenticity means that you need to be yourself, so find the spark that uplifts you and use that to cultivate your X Factor.

*** Author note, X Factor is one of many traits that can explain career progression when on paper, two people appear the same, but it’s obviously not the only one.

#xfactor #charisma #leadershipqualities