How To Tell Who's Got Mojo

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Who Has The Most Mojo?

In this post, I am going to discuss 5 ways a person in management or another authority figure can recognize who has mojo. In an earlier post, I asserted that mojo has various components. These components lead a person to have mojo, but they are not necessarily visible to outside observers. They may be intrinsic characteristics that a person quietly possesses. How do you KNOW if they have mojo?
There is another set of characteristics that are exhibited by a person with mojo. Here are my top 5:
  1. Recorded achievements - These are everyday results as opposed to end-of-season or end-of-year accolades. A person with mojo performs at a high level all the time. In sports, it would be the record during the season. For example, it might be seen in the batting average, quarterback rating hockey plus/minus, etc. Achievement is sometimes measured by the quality of work; other times by the quantity. In either case, it is worthy of note. Be careful with this because the person with the most mojo doesn’t always have the best record of achievement. Their record is likely to be at least one of the best, however.
  2. Leadership - One example is who is elected to be a captain. Leaders are often recognized early in a season or year. Whom do people emulate? Whom do they admire? Whom do they get inspiration from? If that person were gone, would the performance of others suffer? So etines, the best leaders are a little standoffish. That is not true of the person with the most charisma, as I assert in the next section.
  3. Charisma - This is not the same as leadership. However, Merriam Webster does use the word leadership in the definition of charisma. Their second definition notes that charisma involves a special magnetic charm or appeal. It is this special charm or appeal that makes charisma distinct from leadership. Following a leader means following an example or a standard. Following a person with charisma is not a conscious decision. It is a poorly defined feeling that following that person is beneficial, but not for a defined reason.
  4. Awards - Trophies, medals, All Star selections, best -of selections. These are usually given after
    a season or year is over. A person who has mojo can be easily identified by how many of these awards he accumulates.
  5. Clutch performances At the end of a contest, there can be an opportunity for a clutch performance. Some people want to be called upon to perform then. Some don’t. A person with mojo always wants to perform in the clutch. This characteristic is a strong indicator of mojo. Whether or not the desire is there, the performance is always there. In other words, if the person has mojo, he will be a clutch performer even if a reluctant one.
There you have it. I wish you luck in identifying the person with the most mojo. You might find it useful in making assignments or giving responsibility to a person on your team.

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