The 12 Traits of the Greats

Dr. Dave Martin stands at the intersection of faith and achievement, wielding a unique understanding of what separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. As a minister, author, and success coach, Martin has spent decades studying the patterns that distinguish those who merely dream from those who transform dreams into reality. His observations span biblical figures, modern entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders across every field of human endeavor.

What Martin discovered challenges conventional wisdom about success. Rather than attributing greatness to luck, circumstance, or natural talent alone, he identified twelve specific traits that consistently appear in the lives of high achievers. These characteristics, he argues, are not accidents of birth but deliberate choices that anyone can cultivate. Through his research, Martin reveals how these traits create a blueprint for success that transcends industry, era, or background, offering a roadmap for those ready to move beyond mediocrity toward their greatest potential.

The journey toward greatness begins with a fundamental shift in perspective, one that separates those who shape their destiny from those who remain victims of circumstance. At the core of this transformation lies personal responsibility, the bedrock upon which all other success traits are built. Without this foundation, even the most talented individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of blame and limitation.

Dr. Martin observes that responsibility represents more than simply acknowledging mistakes. True responsibility involves recognizing that every outcome in life stems from choices, decisions, and responses to circumstances. This realization can be uncomfortable, as it strips away the convenient excuses that allow people to avoid confronting their role in their current situation. However, this same recognition becomes liberating, as it returns power to the individual rather than leaving it in the hands of external forces.

The second pillar of greatness involves mindset, the internal narrative that shapes how individuals view themselves and their possibilities. Those who achieve extraordinary things maintain an unshakeable belief in their capacity to overcome obstacles and create positive change. This mindset transcends simple positive thinking, becoming a disciplined approach to interpreting setbacks as temporary challenges rather than permanent limitations.

Research consistently demonstrates that individuals with strong internal locus of control outperform those who attribute their circumstances to external factors. This principle manifests across every domain of human achievement, from business success to athletic performance to personal relationships. The great ones understand that while they cannot control every circumstance, they can control their response to every circumstance.

Martin emphasizes that both responsibility and mindset represent daily choices rather than permanent personality traits. Every morning presents opportunities to either accept ownership of one's life direction or surrender control to external forces. Those who consistently choose responsibility and maintain empowering mindsets create momentum that compounds over time, eventually producing results that appear miraculous to outside observers.

Passion serves as the fuel that powers sustained effort toward meaningful goals. Without genuine enthusiasm for their pursuits, even the most disciplined individuals eventually burn out when faced with inevitable obstacles and setbacks. Great achievers possess an inner fire that burns so brightly it illuminates their path through the darkest moments of doubt and difficulty.

This passion rarely emerges accidentally. Instead, it develops through careful attention to one's authentic interests and natural inclinations. Many people spend years pursuing goals that belong to someone else, whether parents, spouses, or society, only to discover that borrowed dreams lack the emotional power necessary to sustain long-term commitment. True passion aligns with personal values and draws energy from sources deeper than external validation.

Imagination transforms passion from mere emotion into actionable vision. The ability to envision possibilities that don't yet exist separates dreamers from achievers. Great individuals spend considerable time developing detailed mental pictures of their desired outcomes, creating internal movies that become more compelling than current reality. This practice of visualization activates the same neural pathways as actual experience, preparing the mind and body for future success.

Focus represents the disciplined application of passion and imagination toward specific objectives. In an age of infinite distractions, the ability to concentrate sustained attention on priority activities becomes increasingly rare and valuable. Focus requires saying no to countless good opportunities in order to say yes to great ones. It demands the wisdom to recognize that success comes not from doing everything, but from doing the right things exceptionally well.

The interplay between passion, imagination, and focus creates a powerful cycle of achievement. Passion provides the emotional energy necessary for sustained effort. Imagination clarifies the destination and creates compelling reasons to persist through challenges. Focus channels this energy and vision into consistent daily actions that gradually transform dreams into reality. Together, these three elements form the inner fire that burns in every great achiever.

No individual achieves greatness in isolation. The most successful people understand that achievement is fundamentally a social activity, requiring the ability to inspire, influence, and collaborate with others. Relationships provide the vehicles through which ideas spread, resources flow, and opportunities multiply. Those who master the art of building meaningful connections gain access to possibilities that remain forever closed to lone wolves.

Effective relationship building extends far beyond networking or manipulation. Authentic connections form when individuals genuinely care about contributing value to others' lives. The great ones develop reputations as problem solvers, resource providers, and encouragers who leave every interaction more valuable than they found it. This approach creates loyalty and goodwill that pays dividends across decades.

Martin identifies five levels of relationship depth, from surface-level pleasantries to soul-deep connections. Most people never progress beyond the first two levels, missing opportunities for the kind of meaningful relationships that fuel extraordinary achievement. Great achievers intentionally cultivate deeper connections by being vulnerable about their struggles, generous with their resources, and consistent in their care for others' success.

Courage transforms relationship potential into relationship reality. Building meaningful connections requires the willingness to initiate conversations, extend invitations, and risk rejection. It demands the bravery to have difficult conversations when necessary and to maintain relationships through conflict and disappointment. Without courage, even the most relationship-minded individuals remain trapped in superficial connections.

The marriage of relationship skills and courage creates what Martin calls "social leadership," the ability to inspire others toward shared vision and mutual benefit. This capacity multiplies individual effort exponentially, as great achievers learn to accomplish through others what they could never achieve alone. They build teams, create movements, and leave legacies that extend far beyond their personal contributions, all because they understood that greatness is a team sport.

Character represents the internal architecture that supports external achievement. Without strong character, success becomes unsustainable, often crumbling under the weight of temptation, pressure, or adversity. The greatest achievers understand that building character requires just as much intentional effort as building skills or accumulating resources.

Persistence forms perhaps the most visible element of strong character. The ability to continue moving forward despite setbacks, criticism, and discouragement separates those who achieve their goals from those who abandon them. Research suggests that most people quit just before breakthrough moments, making persistence a competitive advantage that compounds over time. Great achievers develop what Martin calls "bulldog tenacity," the refusal to surrender worthy goals regardless of temporary circumstances.

Integrity provides the moral foundation that makes persistence worthwhile. Without ethical constraints, persistence can become destructive stubbornness that harms both the individual and others. True integrity involves alignment between values, words, and actions, creating the kind of consistency that builds trust and respect. People of integrity sleep well at night because their consciences remain clear, providing the peace necessary for sustained high performance.

Adaptability ensures that persistence and integrity remain relevant in changing circumstances. The great ones distinguish between core values that never change and strategies that must evolve constantly. They hold their principles firmly while holding their methods lightly, adjusting their approaches as new information and opportunities emerge. This flexibility prevents them from becoming obsolete even as the world transforms around them.

The interaction between persistence, integrity, and adaptability creates what Martin calls "principled flexibility." This combination allows great achievers to remain true to their deepest values while adjusting their tactics to match current realities. They persist in pursuit of worthy goals through ethical means while remaining open to new and better ways of achieving their objectives. This character foundation supports long-term success that benefits both the individual and society.

True greatness extends beyond personal achievement to lasting impact on others' lives. The highest level of success involves using one's accumulated resources, knowledge, and influence to create positive change that continues long after the individual has departed. This shift from acquisition to contribution marks the transition from success to significance.

Wisdom represents the practical application of accumulated knowledge and experience. While intelligence helps people learn quickly, wisdom helps them discern what matters most and how to act effectively in complex situations. Great achievers become students of life, constantly gathering insights from their experiences and observations of others. They recognize patterns, understand consequences, and develop judgment that guides both their own decisions and their advice to others.

The acquisition of wisdom requires humility, as it often comes through painful experiences and acknowledged mistakes. Those who achieve lasting greatness learn to view failures as tuition paid for valuable education rather than evidence of personal inadequacy. They study their setbacks as carefully as their successes, extracting principles that prevent future mistakes and improve future performance.

Generosity transforms wisdom from personal asset into social benefit. The great ones understand that their success creates obligation as well as opportunity. They feel compelled to share their resources, knowledge, and connections with others who can benefit from their experience. This sharing mentality creates cycles of blessing that multiply their impact far beyond their direct efforts.

Legacy-minded achievers recognize that their ultimate success will be measured not by what they accumulated but by what they contributed. They invest time in mentoring emerging leaders, resources in worthy causes, and energy in building institutions that will continue their work. Their focus shifts from "What can I achieve?" to "What can I enable others to achieve?" This perspective transforms successful individuals into catalysts for broader positive change, ensuring their influence continues growing even after their active involvement ends.

Dr. Dave Martin's exploration of greatness reveals that extraordinary achievement is neither accidental nor exclusively reserved for the naturally gifted. Instead, greatness emerges from the deliberate cultivation of specific traits that anyone can develop through consistent effort and intentional choice. These twelve characteristics work together like instruments in an orchestra, each contributing its unique sound to create a symphony of success that resonates across every area of life.

The path to greatness demands both internal transformation and external action. It requires taking complete responsibility for one's life while maintaining unwavering faith in future possibilities. It calls for passionate pursuit of worthy goals while building the relationships necessary to achieve them. Most importantly, it demands the character to persist through difficulties while adapting to changing circumstances, ultimately transitioning from personal success to lasting contribution. Those ready to embrace this journey will discover that their greatest achievements lie not behind them but ahead, waiting to be claimed through the systematic application of timeless principles that have guided great achievers throughout history.