Lasting career success depends far less on credentials than on six career habits high performers develop every day.gettyMany professionals spend years trying to crack the code of career success. They earn advanced degrees, chase prestigious job titles, expand their networks and carefully map out five-year plans. Those strategies can certainly open doors. But according to Rodney C. Adkins, a former IBM senior executive and longtime corporate board leader, lasting career success depends far less on credentials than on the habits people develop every day—and the willingness to take risks that stretch them beyond what feels comfortable.After decades leading global technology initiatives, Adkins, author of Curiosity Redefines the Limits: Advantages Gained from Life, the Workplace, and the Boardroom, has observed that careers rarely follow a straight line. The professionals who continue to grow are those who remain adaptable, curious and committed to learning—even as artificial intelligence transforms industries and rewrites job descriptions."The future belongs to people who keep evolving," Adkins says. "Technology will continue to change the work, but the habits that help people learn, lead and adapt will continue to separate high performers from everyone else."His advice comes at a time when employees face unprecedented workplace disruption. AI is automating routine tasks, organizations are restructuring faster than ever and career paths have become less predictable. In that environment, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Professionals need leadership skills, emotional intelligence and the confidence to step into unfamiliar territory.Six Habits That Separate You As A High PerformerMany people think career success comes from getting the right degree, landing the right job or knowing the right people, Adkins says it comes down to something much simpler: the habits you build and the risks you’re willing to take. Here are six habits he believes can help professionals build careers that remain resilient regardless of how technology changes the workplace.1. Know When To Work—And When To PlayFor many professionals, work-life balance feels like an impossible goal. Adkins prefers to think in terms of work-life integration rather than perfect balance. "There are seasons when work demands more of you and seasons when your personal life deserves greater attention," he explains. "The key is learning to recognize which season you're in and making intentional choices."That doesn’t mean blending work and life indiscriminately. It means understanding when to fully engage at work and when to disconnect completely. Sometimes you'll work harder than you play. Other times you'll need to prioritize family, health or personal renewal without guilt.Research consistently shows that recovery periods improve creativity, decision-making and long-term performance. Professionals who never step away from work often experience diminishing returns rather than increased productivity. Successful careers aren’t marathons run at sprint speed. They're built through sustained performance over many years.2. Master Situational LeadershipAdkins suggests that one of the biggest leadership mistakes is assuming that every employee should be managed the same way. He believes effective leaders constantly adjust their leadership style based on the situation and the people involved. Someone new to a role may need clear direction and frequent feedback. An experienced employee may thrive with greater autonomy."The best leaders don’t rely on one style," Adkins adds. “They recognize what each person needs to succeed.” This concept, often referred to as situational leadership, becomes even more important as organizations become increasingly multigenerational and geographically dispersed. Hybrid teams, remote workers and AI-assisted workflows require leaders who can adapt rather than rely on rigid management approaches. The ability to read the room, assess circumstances and respond appropriately has become one of today's most valuable leadership skills.3. Lift As You Rise—Not When You ArriveMany professionals tell themselves they’ll mentor others after they’ve reached the executive suite. Adkins argues that's far too late. Leadership isn't about waiting until you've "made it." It's about creating opportunities for others throughout your own journey."Lifting as you rise means helping deserving people grow at every stage of your career," he says. That might involve introducing a colleague to an important contact, recommending someone for a stretch assignment or coaching an early-career employee through a difficult challenge.Organizations benefit when knowledge flows freely instead of remaining concentrated at the top. Individuals benefit as well. Leaders who develop others often build stronger professional reputations and broader networks than those who focus exclusively on their own advancement.4. Partner With AI Instead Of Competing Against ItMany workers continue to view AI primarily as a threat. Adkins sees something different. He believes professionals should begin treating AI as a collaborative partner rather than an adversary.When used thoughtfully, AI can summarize information, analyze data, generate ideas and automate repetitive tasks. Rather than replacing human judgment, it expands people's capacity to think strategically and spend more time solving complex problems."The question isn’t whether AI will become part of your work," Adkins says. “The question is whether you'll learn to use it better than everyone else.” Professionals who learn how to orchestrate AI effectively will likely become more productive and valuable than those who resist the technology altogether.5. Commit To Lifelong LearningOne of the greatest career risks today is assuming that yesterday’s expertise will remain valuable tomorrow, according to Adkins. Rapid technological advances mean skills have shorter shelf lives than ever before. What distinguished someone five years ago may become commonplace within the next few years.Adkins believes continuous learning has shifted from a competitive advantage to a career necessity. That doesn’t always require another degree. Learning can come through online courses, professional certifications, conferences, cross-functional projects or simply seeking assignments that stretch existing abilities. Curiosity keeps professionals relevant. Stagnation does the opposite.6. Exercise Your CuriosityPerhaps the most underrated career habit is asking better questions. Innovation rarely begins with having all the answers. Instead, it often starts with wondering, "Why do we do it this way?" or "What if we approached this differently?"Adkins encourages professionals to cultivate genuine curiosity by regularly asking questions such as why, how and what if. Those questions create opportunities to challenge assumptions, identify better solutions and reimagine what’s possible.Three Career Risks Worth TakingBeyond daily habits, Adkins believes professionals should intentionally embrace three forms of calculated risk that often separate exceptional careers from average ones.1. Become comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth almost always begins outside familiar territory. Whether leading a difficult project, learning an unfamiliar technology or accepting an international assignment, discomfort is often a sign that meaningful development is occurring.2. Play bigger than your current role. Waiting for a promotion before demonstrating leadership is a common mistake. High performers frequently take ownership beyond their job descriptions, volunteer for visible assignments and solve problems before they're asked.3. Know when to ask for help. Many professionals mistake independence for strength. Adkins sees the opposite. Seeking guidance, asking thoughtful questions and drawing on others’ expertise often accelerates growth while preventing costly mistakes.A Final WrapIntelligence, credentials or connections may help open doors, but they rarely determine who continues growing over decades. As AI reshapes the workplace, professionals who cultivate adaptability, curiosity and continuous learning will be better positioned than those who rely solely on technical expertise. Habits such as leading situationally, helping others succeed, embracing lifelong learning and partnering with AI create advantages that technology cannot easily replicate, Adkins concludes.