Ever wonder what sets the average marketer or salesperson apart from the industry guru? Would you be surprised if I told you that talent alone is not the answer?

After writing "5 ways to ruin your industry reputation," I got several phone calls and emails saying, "Great, we know what pitfalls to avoid! Now what can I do to put myself on the quick path to becoming a superstar?"

This question got me thinking… what makes someone like Doug Weaver, Scot McLernon, Sean Finnegan, Sean X Cummings and scores of others succeed while others hop from company to company repeatedly without a big victory under their belts?

One of the things I absolutely love about the interactive space is that I've had the opportunity to meet all kinds of personalities -- from the charismatic crowd magnet to the leech that completely sucks the energy out of a room. The leeches eventually fade and are churned by a new group, and the crowd magnets continue to pull away from the pack.

In our hyper-connected industry, taking the right steps consistently will pay big dividends. Although all of the leaders in the interactive space have their own unique characteristics that set them apart, here are the top five common denominators that constantly stand out.