The hierarchy in this case may be true, but approach and attitude don’t just come from anywhere. I view the 6 items as working in combination, not alone. Sometimes attitude is a result of execution. Approach can be determined by goals and tactics result from strategy and so on.

Attitude, especially around a single context like business or the military, comes from years of experience. I see little difference in skill level or knowledge between the recent grad, the 5 year midlevel or the 20 year veteran. They each have a lot to offer on the table. The vet though has attitude – a level of confidence in his abilities that’s apparent without him yet doing anything. That kind of aura is hard to exude unless you’ve been there, done that.

It’s not to say that young people can’t have that attitude. Look at Ramit and Ben and yourself. It comes from belief. Others’ belief in you, your belief in yourself and your belief system of the world. “Mindset” is missing from the list, because it can trump a lot of the other 6.