By Evans Tu (President & CEO, SYNNEX Group)

Talent = Capability x Personality Traits x Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is an indispensable factor when it comes to success. Without enthusiasm, results cannot be achieved even when an individual has the best capabilities and most desirable personality traits. Capability brings no value at all when it is not applied and put to effective use, this is well understood by all.

There are generally two different types of enthusiasm: “Proactive Enthusiasm” and “Passive Enthusiasm”.

Individuals who engage in “Passive Enthusiasm” are often keen to complete their assigned tasks. However, once their task is completed, they struggle to stay motivated and rely heavily on others to motivate them by setting goals on their behalf. “Passive Enthusiasm” reflects an individual’s tendency to wait on other’s instructions or guidance in whatever they do. Managers should see through the fake enthusiasm displayed by these individuals and keep a close eye on them.

On the contrary, individuals who engage in “Proactive Enthusiasm” can set and achieve their own goals in an independent manner. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, they can “self-actualise” and motivate themselves to realise their full potential. These individuals gain satisfaction through going above and beyond what they are expected to do. They are enthusiastic employees who are real assets to managers.

Some individuals know they should be proactive and enthusiastic in what they do. Nonetheless, they consistently fail to do so.

The reason behind lies in their inability to exert self-control.

To successfully pursue our goals, everyone knows it is inevitable that we will have to devote all our efforts, change our existing habits and go through different challenges. The process is often demanding and requires a lot of commitment to thrive through.

As human beings tend to avoid difficult and demanding work, this prevents us from wanting to pursue our goals. Although we are aware of the fact that we should realise our full potential, our inability to control our natural tendencies stops us from doing so.

Self-control is the ability to change and commit yourselves for goals to be achieved. It reflects an individual’s ability to control their natural tendencies and to thrive through demanding situations. Individuals who can control themselves are disciplined individuals who persist in what they do. On the contrary, individuals who are undisciplined lack self-control and are incapable of motivating and improving themselves in their career.

An individual’s ability to discipline themselves will determine their ability to control themselves. Without discipline, individuals will fail to control themselves and engage in “Proactive Enthusiasm”.