The most significant difference between people in my professional environment that succeed in their goals and those who don’t is their first reaction is when something doesn’t go as planned. The successful ask themselves, “Was it me? Could I have done something differently?” and they adapt fast. The not-so-successful blame other people or the environment and stick to their old habits and beliefs.
Other people and your environment affect your work and outcomes for sure, but you are also in the group “other people” for someone else and part of the environment. If you never reflect on your actions, it’s impossible to get better. Gender, education, credentials, and similar have never been, for people I interact with, a reliable indicator of success, but the curious and adaptable mindset has.