I’ve often heard the expression- “behind a successful man, there is a smart and wise woman”. As you might suspect, I agree one hundred percent. But I do believe it takes a smarter and wiser man to realize it. A few years ago, I attended a job interview with a couple of project directors of Marriott International. The interview didn’t take more than ten minutes. As the interview came to an end and we shook hands, Mr. Rizzo and Mr. Morgan asked, ”why should you have the job, Diana?” I looked into their eyes and I said, “Because you need a ‘woman’ like me to do the job”. All I ask is that my mind is respected. I am a thinker, not a factory worker. This was the beginning of a glorious business relationship between us. 

Today, I contemplate my ‘Hall of Fame’ wall which displays beautifully all the trophies, plaques, medals, covets, diplomas, certificates and letters of appreciation I received for my outstanding performance, generation of revenue, and service. Did I have to over come challenges and obstacles? You bet I did. A great mind will always find resistance from mediocre ones.  Am I showing off? You bet I am. However, I know my readers are bigger and deeper than judging my words superficially. You know I am going somewhere with this talk.

So, what made the difference? Why was I successful? Simply, I was provided effective and intelligent tools to work with by the company. I was given the room to think outside the box, to apply and implement creativity and innovation, and the necessary authority and empowerment to execute decisions based on my own criteria by the two gentlemen I mentioned above. They believed in me, trusted me, encouraged me, and inspired me. They saw me as a success. Therefore, they treated me as one since day one.

What is success? Success is a very relative and personal concept. And it’s not in correlation with money. We are successful or a person inspires us to become successful by rising above any challenges we might encounter. It’s discovering our talents and potential to defeat our fears. Becoming a success is to be rescued from the captivation of a poor environment. A poor environment lacks ideas, dreams and imagination. We are not poor because we have no money. That is to be short of liquidity. We’re poor when we posses no ideas. Do you have a dream? Do you have an idea? Then, the world belongs to you! I live my life with passion. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm said Mr. Churchill. We haven’t got this life to get A+, and we don’t have to be perfect either. The grading system is based on our effort to become a better person every day - to be the best we can be!