Harvey Specter is a winner, the biggest closer in New York (according to himself). Harvey didn’t become a winning superstar lawyer by chance. There are many lessons to be learnt and luckily we can learn most of them simply by watching the show. Here’s just a bit of what we take away from the character that is Harvey Specter:
1. Don’t be a talker, be a doer
Watching the show, you will notice that Harvey spends most of his time doing rather than talking. It’s very rare to see Harvey explaining the problem to others. He would rather just deal with it. Every second counts and you can’t be wasting time crying over the spilt milk. The only logical thing to do is to push forward and find a solution and that is exactly what Harvey does (and so should you). Avoid blaming others and just deal with it.
Winners don’t make excuses.
2. Keep up your appearance
First impressions are everything. A first impression is made before you say a single word and no one is going to take you seriously if you show up in your flip flops. Harvey will never show up without an impeccable suit, a close clean shave and a neat hair cut. In order for others to respect you, you must first respect yourself. You might not need a ridiculously expensive suit, but dress smart and take care of yourself. Image and impression is very important.
First impressions last. You start behind the eight ball you’ll never get in front.
3. Calling the bluff
Harvey is the boss when it comes to reading people. He can always read a bluff and seems to pick up on the true agenda of his opponents. Harvey is always able to fish out much more information than anyone would like to give away. He reads the person, the body language and the signals and puts all the pieces together. Result? Harvey finds himself in the stronger position and this is not by chance. Can you also achieve this skill? It’s difficult but try and pay attention to the little details and then piece them all together.
I don’t play the odds. I play the man.
4. Determination
Unlike Mike Ross, Harvey made it the hard way. He went to Harvard law school and worked his way from the bottom all they way to the top at which point he got his name on the door. Harvey sets himself various goals and never gives up until he achieves them. Once the sights have been set on the target, nothing will get in the way. Harvey will take what he wants and there isn’t anything you can do about it. This is perhaps both the easiest and the hardest trait to replicate. All you need is to set a goal and then stay focused but all it takes is a distraction to send it all down the drain. So stay focused and stay motivated.
I don’t have dreams, I have goals.
5. Thinking big
Harvey likes to think big. Every successful entrepreneur, business person and lawyer will tell you the same – Think big. That’s why Harvey always goes for a big win rather that a small lose. You simply can’t have the “lets minimise our losses mindset” and be successful simultaneously. It’s one or the other. Losing small and wining big don’t mix in the same way that youtube has taught us that diet coke and mentos don’t mix. So take the advice of every successful person that every lived, do yourself a favour and aim high.
That’s the difference between you and me, you wanna lose small, I wanna win big.
Bonus!
We made an infographic with our favourite Harvey Specter quotes. Enjoy!
