The answer to the question “What is the most important attribute to success?” is nearly unanimous. It is not professional development, degree, alma mater or who you know. It is not your mentor, your boss or your upbringing. The answer is the one for this fill in the blank (c’mon, you know the answer): “Your ____________ determines your altitude.” Attitude is the critical element to success in both personal and professional realms, yet precious little attention is given to team members’ attitude on a regular basis. By “regular,” I mean every day, every meeting and every evaluation.

Some performance evaluations may have a score and a few lines to address attitude. What is meant in that circumstance? Is the employee cheerful? Optimistic? Plays nice with others on the team? Definitions of attitude usually refer to someone’s disposition to something, like work. But when we talk about the role of attitude and success, the connotation of the word changes. Attitude is then more a mindset: hungry, determined, focused, clear. Which “attitude” does the performance evaluation refer to, if it does at all? Disposition or mindset? Which “attitude” do we praise in private, in conversations, in meetings as part of the ongoing communication and empowerment of team members?

This article in Entrepreneur by Sherrie Campbell connects mindset and attitude at the outset. Legends in the motivational, success arena have shared the importance of attitude for decades: Zig Ziglar, Norman Vincent Peale, Dale Carnegie and dozens more. The message of attitude’s importance has been around for a long time because the truth is universal.

Last month, the driver of the parking lot shuttle van that returned me to my truck stood out as an example of attitude. Was it her cheerful demeanor? Yes, but not only that. (Keep in mind that I was riding at about one in the morning!) Was it her energy level? Yes, but not only that. (Keep in mind that she had been on the clock for hours by that time.) Was it her willingness to jump at the chance to be of service? (She got from her seat to the luggage faster than anyone I have ever seen.) Yes, but not only that. Was it her willingness to be of extra service, by waiting in the van while each driver was sure that their vehicle would start? Yes, but not only that. (To be fair, I’m not sure she could do that with a van full of passengers anxious to get home.) Her attitude was a sum of all those things: demeanor, energy, service attitude, proactiveness. I imagine that if we had had a chance to talk, I would have learned about her aspirations. No one that good at her job can be without aspirations, drive and focus.

I believe it is critical that attitude, as it relates to a mindset of achievement and success, should be affirmed, empowered, reviewed and supported on a regular basis. When I gave the driver a nice tip, I complimented her attitude and said I was sure she would be a success in everything in her life. Her attitude will assure it, just like it will for your family members, team members and strangers that you encounter.