We are looking for a set of personal characteristics that predict

Hear the words of Wendy Kopp, a builder of movements and a shaper of leaders, who declared: “We are looking for a set of personal characteristics that predict success, the first and foremost of which is perseverance in the face of challenges. We also look for the ability to influence and motivate others who share your values, strong problem-solving ability, and leadership.” In these words shines the blueprint of greatness, not as a gift bestowed by fate, but as a pattern of qualities to be sought, cultivated, and lived.

The first pillar she names is perseverance in the face of challenges. This is the foundation, for all other gifts crumble without endurance. History is filled with examples of men and women of brilliance who faltered because they lacked the strength to persist. Yet the heroes of ages—whether Odysseus braving storm and sea, or Nelson Mandela enduring prison for decades—are remembered because they did not surrender. Perseverance is the fire that keeps the lamp burning when winds rise, the unseen strength that carries a soul through trials into triumph.

The second quality is the ability to influence and motivate others who share your values. A leader is not one who walks alone, but one who ignites the hearts of many, turning a vision into a movement. Consider Mahatma Gandhi: frail in body, simple in appearance, yet through his faith in truth and justice, he stirred millions to stand against an empire. His power was not in wealth or arms, but in the ability to inspire others to join him in his cause. This is what Kopp urges us to seek—the capacity to awaken others to their highest selves, uniting them through shared values.

The third is strong problem-solving ability. For challenges will come, and they will not always be the same. The leader must not only endure them but also discern their essence, devising ways to overcome. When Abraham Lincoln faced the division of his nation, he did not rely on slogans or brute force alone; he thought deeply, chose carefully, and solved problems with both cunning and compassion. The ability to see beyond the immediate, to untangle the knot and find the path forward, is as vital as courage itself.

Finally, Kopp names leadership as the crown of these virtues. Leadership is the art of bringing all these qualities together—endurance, inspiration, wisdom, and action—into a living force that guides others. But true leadership is not the tyranny of command; it is the service of others, the steady hand that calms, the clear vision that directs, the brave heart that sacrifices. It is the echo of the ancients who taught that the greatest ruler is the one who rules himself first.

The meaning of her words, then, is that success is not a mystery. It is not granted only to the gifted or the fortunate. It is built by those who embody these characteristics, who train themselves in perseverance, in the inspiration of others, in problem-solving, and in leadership. It is a call not to wait for greatness to descend, but to cultivate it daily, as a farmer tends the soil, as a warrior hones his blade.

The lesson for us is clear: cultivate these traits within yourself. When hardship comes, do not flee—persevere. When others lose heart, speak words that awaken courage in them. When faced with problems, look not for excuses, but for solutions. And when given the chance to lead, lead with humility, wisdom, and strength. For these qualities, once nurtured, do not only predict success—they create it.

Thus, let Wendy Kopp’s words be remembered: success is not an accident, but the fruit of perseverance, influence, problem-solving, and leadership. Seek these not only in others, but in yourself. Live them, and you will become the kind of person who not only survives challenges, but transforms them into triumphs for yourself and for all who walk beside you.