Part 1: The 10x Factors That Make Up A 10x Employee

In Part 1, you will learn the 10x Factors that you will need to have as an employee, if you want a much higher chance of getting hired.

In Part 2, you will learn the 10x Factors to getting a higher salary, higher bonus or a quicker promotion.

Before you dive in, know that nobody’s perfect, of course.

And there are certainly more 10x Factors than those I listed below.

But I think this list is good enough for your purpose, as I have found them to have worked for me so far.

So if you can strive to have or learn up all the 10x Factors, you will be setting yourself up very well indeed to get hired quickly or significantly increase the money you can earn as an employee.

But Here’s The Brutal Truth

1. Not every leader of every company is as smart as we expect them to be.

In fact, some of them don’t possess many of the 10x Factors listed here.

They somehow got to where they are, either by pure luck, or because their company lacked the ability to attract good talents to join it, or because of other circumstances.

Some of them make the worst decisions related to their products and business in general, and they keep making them again and again.

This includes not being able to recognise good employees that can help their companies achieve much higher goals.

And they still don’t realise that they themselves are the problem. This is the Dunning-Kruger effect — make sure you’re not one of those who suffer from it.

2. Some leaders have other agendas in your company that prevent you from advancing, no matter how many 10x Factors you have.

This could be an ego problem, or a psychological issue, or some biases (eg. they don’t want a man, or a woman, or a younger, or older person, to advance).

We would like to think that everybody is fair.

But in the real world, not everybody is.

3. Other leaders simply don’t know how to appreciate your efforts.

It doesn’t take much to recognise a good employee who can help grow a business to greater heights.

But it also doesn’t take much to start a business.

Like, literally ANYBODY can do this, without any qualifications.

Which is why there WILL be some companies run by those who are not fit to run them, even though those companies may be successful due to some circumstances not within their control.

4. And other leaders don’t get on well with you for some reasons.

This may have nothing to do with your work performance, but it’s also nothing personal.

These leaders want to be comfortable with their top employees. And if something isn’t “right” in their eyes, they won’t promote you no matter what.

Whatever the reasons, it really doesn’t matter.

Because if you possess the 10x Factors, you’re well equipped to move onto other companies with leaders that WILL give you a higher salary or bonus or promote you quicker.

This is because they can appreciate you and your efforts, understand your value to their companies, and they don’t care if you clicked well with them or not as long as you can deliver the goods, as their companies’ interest is paramount.

Note that the reverse is also true.

If you don’t have many of the 10x Factors, it doesn’t matter which company you join. Chances are you won’t get very far.

With that said, here are the 10x Factors for you to become a 10x Employee.

Let’s start with the first 5, which will get you hired faster.

10x Factor No.1: Your Character

Smart companies hire you for your character first, and your skills second.

Less smart companies hire you for your skills only, irrespective of what your character is.

This is especially important when hiring executives and managers.

Why is having a good character important?

You can always be trained to have certain skills, but your character can be part of your makeup that either cannot be changed as you are not willing to do so, or will take a long time to change if you are willing.

It’s not your company’s job to change your character.

Although these smart companies will not be able to judge your character from a few interviews where you can be lying through your teeth to their questions about your character, some companies may already know of your character from some of their staff who knew you earlier.

In fact, this is how I was hired to be the General Manager of a Law Academy.

The founder knew me from our university days in the UK where we studied law together, and when we didn’t know that he would be starting his own law school as that would only be happening 5 years later.

We were on the committee of our university’s Student Union where we would organise gatherings and have other activities for our fellow students to participate in.

I was the Treasurer (even though I had no formal training in accounts), and I was heavily involved in those other activities with the committee.

My character was on full display to everyone on the committee, and their characters were on full display to me.

We could see who could do the work, were committed to it, and could work well with the others.

Some time later, after I have been practising law for a few years, he called me and said he would like me to head his Law Academy.

The pay would be DOUBLE what I was getting as a lawyer in my 3rd year, to give me an incentive to move on.

While I would be getting more by staying on in the law firm (I would 10x my Year 1 salary there), I wanted a change of environment that would also come with shorter working hours, a less hectic schedule, and a chance to work alongside the founder who himself is an amazing character and into some of the latest technology of the time, like the Internet which had just come onto the scene — so I accepted his offer.

Now while my case seems different in that you don’t think anybody in any company you’re applying for a job will know your character, it’s always a good thing to have good character irrespective of whether you’re applying for a job or otherwise.

Because some of those who know you can be your good referees in your job application (see “10x Factor No.4: Your Network” below).

So please don’t dismiss the importance of having a good character.

By the way, in no way am I saying that I have the perfect character.

NOBODY DOES.

But I do have some traits in my character that count, at least as far as getting hired for a job is concerned.

And you need to have them too, if you don’t already.

These same traits also count toward the other aspects of your life as well, like in your relationships with your family and friends.

Here are the few traits that make up a good character, that I think are important:

1) Integrity

Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

People with integrity build trust with everyone around them by staying true to their word.

They stick to their principles, admit their mistakes, give credit where credit is due, and keep confidential information private.

Think about this. Would you want to stick around with people with no integrity?

If not, why wouldn’t everyone near you do the same?

2) Commitment

Commitment is about being fully dedicated to your work.

When you commit, you give your best effort every day.

You stick with your tasks and goals, even when they get tough.

A committed employee also doesn’t give up easily.

This quality shows employers that you’re serious about your role and the company’s success.

You can’t fake commitment, as that would be much harder to do than actually be genuinely committed to the cause.

3) Dependability

Being dependable means people can count on you.

When you say you’ll do something, you follow through.

You should know someone who regularly doesn’t follow through on his word.

Something as simple as confirming his presence for a social occasion, and then never turning up and never giving a reason why, and doing this repeatedly.

Remember how you feel about this person? Everybody in your circle would complain about him.

It’s worse when you’re working in a company.

Dependable employees meet deadlines, show up on time, and deliver consistent results.

This reliability makes you a valuable team member, as others know they can trust you to get the job done.

4) Respect

Respect is about treating everyone with kindness and consideration.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a colleague, a client, or yourself.

EVERYONE deserves respect.

This means listening to others, valuing their opinions, and being courteous to them even if you don’t agree with them.

When you show respect, you create a positive work environment where everyone can thrive.

These values form the backbone of a strong character, making you a standout candidate for any job.

A skilled interviewer can sense if you have this trait, during the interview.

10x Factor No.2: Your Skills

Skills are the abilities you’ve developed through learning and practice. They are things you can acquire and improve over time.

Skills show that you’re prepared to handle specific tasks and responsibilities in your job. They’re essential because they demonstrate your capability to get the job done.

There are 2 parts to this:

1) Technical Competence

Technical competence means you know how to use the tools and technology required for your role.

Whether it’s software, machinery, or specific procedures, you’re comfortable with them and can manoeuvre them with ease.

But technical competency is expected of you, so you need to be as skilled as you can as this is one area that you can easily be compared to the other candidates.

2) Experience

Experience is the application of your skills over time.

It’s not just about knowing how to do something but having done it before — often enough to understand the nuances and complexities.

Experience gives you the confidence to tackle challenges because you’ve seen similar situations before.

Employers naturally value this because it reduces the learning curve and increases your ability to deliver results from day one.

Where experience doesn’t count as much is when the job you’re applying for only came into existence recently. Like this Master AI Commander position that I wrote about in my last issue.

10x Factor No.3: Your Talents

Talent, on the other hand, is more about your natural abilities.

It’s what you’re innately good at, often without much effort.

While skills can be learned, talent is something you’re born with.

However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be trained to be good in something that is a talent in someone else.

You may not be as natural as the talented person, although you can also be better than them if you trained hard enough.

It’s just that you need to put in more effort to do it as well as they can naturally.

But you will at least be better than someone who has no interest to be trained in that area.

Talent can set you apart because it brings something unique to the table, often in ways that others can’t easily replicate.

There are many types of talent.

But the 2 most important talents that are useful for any employee looking to get hired are the following:

1) Good Communicator

Being a good communicator means you can clearly convey your thoughts, ideas, and instructions, whether in writing, or when you are speaking.

Good communication ensures that everyone understands the message you’re trying to get across.

This skill is crucial in any role because it helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page.

I’m sure you have met many naturally good communicators, as well as many naturally bad communicators.

Good communicators make a positive impression on you and you will remember them long after they have written or spoken their last words, while bad communicators simply confuse you and are quickly forgotten.

2) Good Conversationalist

A good conversationalist, on the other hand, knows how to engage others in meaningful dialogue.

This goes beyond just sharing information — it’s about creating a connection.

A good conversationalist listens as much as they speak, and they know how to keep a conversation flowing naturally.

This talent is especially important in roles that require building relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders.

Being a good communicator and a good conversationalist go hand-in-hand.

Since you’ll be in a live interview where conversations and communication is being tested, you will do your BEST to be as good as you possibly can be in these 2 areas — especially when you’re not naturally talented in them.

10x Factor No.4: Your Network

A strong network can be a game-changer when it comes to getting hired quickly.

It’s not just about who you know, but also how those connections can vouch for your abilities and open doors for you.

There are 2 aspects to this.

1) Good References

Having good references means you have people who can speak highly of your work and character.

These are usually past employers, colleagues, or mentors who have seen you in action.

Good references can provide a solid endorsement that reassures potential employers.

When someone credible says you’re reliable and skilled, it makes you stand out more during the hiring process.

This is the reason why you need to have good character (see “10x Factor No.1: Character” above) long before you even started working.

2) Good Connections

Good connections are valuable in any industry.

They can help you learn about job openings before they’re advertised, introduce you to key people, or even recommend you directly.

Building and maintaining relationships with people in your field gives you access to opportunities that others might not have.

Employers often prefer candidates who come with strong recommendations from trusted sources because it reduces their risk in hiring.

10x Factor No.5: Your Knowledge

Knowledge is a powerful tool that can set you apart in the hiring process.

It’s not just about knowing what to do, but understanding why it matters and how it fits into the bigger picture.

There are also 2 aspects to this.

1) Good Domain Knowledge

Good domain knowledge means you have a deep understanding of your specific job or industry.

You know the ins and outs of your role, the latest trends, and the best practices.

This knowledge allows you to perform your tasks efficiently and effectively.

Employers value this because it means you can hit the ground running without needing much training.

Whether it’s understanding the technical aspects of a job or knowing how to handle industry-specific challenges, strong domain knowledge makes you a valuable asset.

2) Good General Knowledge

Good general knowledge goes beyond your specific job.

It’s about being aware of what’s happening in the world, and understanding a broad range of topics. 

This could include current events, economics, technology, and culture.

General knowledge helps you see connections and opportunities that others might miss.

It also makes you a more well-rounded individual, able to contribute to conversations and decisions that go beyond your immediate role.

Employers appreciate this because it shows you’re not just focused on your own tasks, but also understand how your work fits into a larger context.

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And that 5th 10x Factor wraps up this issue for your “Getting Hired - Fast” stage.

Simply do better in all 5 of the 10x Factors shown here. It’s never too late to have all that is required if you don’t have all of them, just start NOW.

Here they are, in a nutshell:

Your Character.

Your Skills.

Your Talents.

Your Network.

Your Knowledge.

In Part 2, you will learn the next five 10x Factors that will get you a higher salary, or a higher bonus, or a quicker promotion once you’re hired.

Cheers!

P.S. Know of someone working for a company as an employee, like a family member, or a good friend? Forward this issue to them and ask them to subscribe so that they can start learning the secrets to becoming a 10x Employee and have an unfair advantage over their peers.