Achieve Quote by Edmund Hillary
“If I'm selecting a group, the first thing I look for is a record of achievement . . . If (candidates achieve) in small things, there's a very good chance they'll perform well in big things.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC, 1954, Mountaineering
Small achievements reveal character; success in minor tasks predicts performance on larger challenges.
In simple terms: Small wins predict big successes.
Key Takeaway
Use early successes to gauge future potential.
Themes
achievement
character
leadership
assessment
Mood
reflective
pragmatic
Type
motivational
professional
When to use this quote
- team hiring
- project management
- personal development
Key Concepts
psychology of performance
goal setting
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess potential beyond past achievements?
- What small tasks best reveal a person’s capabilities?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on minor tasks may overlook other vital qualities.
![“You will find that [the] State [Department] is the kind of organisation which, though it does big things badly, does small things badly too.” quote by John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/24c/john-kenneth-galbraith-643_big-things_you-will-find-that-the-state-department_176110.jpg)
![“I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb [to Everest] was George Lowe: he was strong, a good man on a mountain, with a great sense of humour, and I liked that. I think George and I could've done that together ... I've probably never told George that.” quote by Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/165/edmund-hillary-3760_climbs_i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-on_12447.jpg)
