Letter from Dan: What I’ve Learned from the World’s Most Successful People

This past year has been something rather extraordinary. Smiling Albino has seen steady growth in UHNWI clients coming to Southeast Asia, and I’ve put myself right on the front line as host, guide, fixer, entertainer, and liaison for some wonderful and impressive guests. Sometimes this was the client’s request; sometimes it was me putting my hand up to volunteer!

How fortunate I’ve been to ride bicycles and motorcycles, host history and food trips, bar-hop and hike, and host temple visits and go jetting, helicoptering and yachting all over Southeast Asia with some of the world’s most notable CEOs, entrepreneurs, and captains of industry. Like I said, I’ve been lucky, and I planned it that way.

As I reflect on the last few months, I’ve been in the fortunate company of billionaires and ultra-successful people regularly, and have noticed common patterns on what makes them tick. I’ve been able to observe at close range the habits and sensibilities of some of the world’s most successful people. I can’t help but share this!

Here are a few consistent traits I’ve noticed:

They listen more than they speak

Active listening of course, with lots of questions. But then they allow – and expect – the other party to speak. From the dozen or so people at the top of the Forbes list, I’ve never gotten the impression that they needed me to know how much they know about subject xxx, or how fine the sand at the Maldives was last spring. They want to know about other things, and they listen intently.

They don’t sweat the small stuff (like, at all!)

Earlier last year I had an epic day planned to take helicopters over remote mountain passes, lined up specialized watercraft at a hidden body of water, and then planned to indulge in a stunning BBQ on a hilltop with a UHNWI. Suddenly, it was all canceled at the last second due to fog. The guest’s reaction? “Well, what’s the next best thing we can do to make the most of the day, then?”

Similarly, we had an A-list CEO and family get unceremoniously stuck in a hot and sweaty public boat with dozens of tourists (god forbid!), and diesel fumes consuming us. It was a logistical failure on my part, and a potentially horribly awkward and uncomfortable 20-minute wait. When I explained the situation and apologized, they acted as if they wouldn’t have it any other way and said it was part of the travel experience, and we then talked economics for twenty minutes in the broiling sun. It was as if they didn’t notice.

There are countless examples of similar scenarios, but I’ve noticed a pattern that the more successful, the higher the profile, the more unfathomable the wealth, it generally means less drama on the little things. It is not a coincidence.

They appreciate the effort required to make things happen, and they make sure you know it

Sure, the picnic in the forest didn’t turn out quite the way we expected it would, but the owners of a major league sports franchise did make a point of expressing their gratitude multiple times as if it was an immaculate banquet on their wedding day executed perfectly. Or the gesture of thanks when they see that you’ve done something to save them three minutes or to skip a line at the top coffee shop in town to hop around the corner for a less than perfect espresso, but no line, no fuss. They thank you and say “I saw what you did there”.

I’m always impressed that the highest profile people tend to notice those little things.

And, they stay off their phones!

From a lot of personal experience, it seems the highest degree of success in life seems inversely correlated to the amount of time those individuals spend on their phones. It’s a fact. Get off your phone! Be present. Be connected. Be curious.

I am sharing these thoughts in the hope they are edifying for you, and also as a reminder to myself what makes great people tick. I am endeavoring to build Smiling Albino to be greater and greater each year, and to be in a similar position as some of them one day. I want to tell you all that I genuinely feel blessed and fortunate, and I want all our aspirational (and inspirational) clients, partners and team members to know it!

Daniel Fraser
Chief Mahout, Smiling Albino