7 Key Lessons on Success From Suits’ Harvey Specter - Addicted 2 Success (2024)

Have you watched Suits yet? Anyone who has watched this fascinating and intriguing American TV series is obsessed with the character of Harvey Specter. His enchanting personality, witty outlook, and intrepid attitude, leave a gravitating influence on the audience. If there is a fictional character people would want to impersonate, it would be Harvey Specter. Suits is an acclaimed TV series with an IMDb rating of 8.5, which is stellar. A larger part of the show’s profound success can be attributed to the impression Harvey Specter leaves on every mind.

Here are 7 lessons on success we can learn from Harvey Specter:

1. It all starts with appearance

It may seem like an unpopular opinion, but dressing sense has a lot to do with success. The way you dress defines your confidence and your zeal to win. In Suits, Harvey is always seen in the finest tailored suits. Of course, that is where the name of the TV series comes from. Harvey is always dressed as an accomplished gentleman. Also, he has excellent people skills to make the perfect first impression.

How you present yourself and conduct yourself in front of others is critical to their perception of you. So, Harvey teaches us that dressing exquisitely while meeting people is no less than a success mantra. Hence, have your best outfits always ready to facilitate your pursuit of success. Because Harvey often tells Michael Ross that the first impression is the last!

2. No detail is too small

There is one thing that remains common in every episode of Suits. Harvey always stays one step ahead of his competitors. This is because Harvey does not like to ignore any detail, no matter massive or menial. He inspires us not to be complacent and to not be over the top flamboyant. Of course, he has a lot of flamboyance and vanity, but that does not make him ignorant. He pays attention to all details and new facts to scrutinize every aspect. He believes in staying informed on the ins and outs of people trying to outsmart him. Therefore, you should not have that ‘I know it all’ attitude in life. If you have to be successful, you have to be aware and vigilant.

3. The romanticization of risks is paramount

In a famous dialogue from the show, Harvey Says, “That’s the difference between you and me, you wanna lose small, and I wanna win big.” This has a deep life lesson inscribed in it. The crux is that you cannot enlarge your victories until you limit yourself to minimizing the losses. Success does not start with an idea. The pursuit of success begins when you decide to take risks associated with an idea. It is Harvey’s risk-taking ability that defines his winning attitude. Harvey knows how to win the unwinnable because he rewrites the rules. You have to make your own fortune and do whatever it takes. Conviction to risk it is the key! Harvey is the prodigy of what top performers do to win.

4. Staying poised in crisis is a winning strategy

Throughout the series, you will never see Harvey Specter freaking out. This is because he has profuse self-belief to face every challenge. Besides, he always has a plan B, and he prepares well for all vulnerabilities. He charmingly keeps all causes of stress at bay. People often tend to get nervous in situations that test their character. Out of this nervousness, they cripple their own abilities and potential.

But Harvey Specter shows us how to have the best attitude amid the odds. He is always chilled out and smiling no matter how hard it gets. This is a character trait of someone who backs his ability a lot. Do you back yourself to overcome insurmountable odds? Explore yourself, realize your strengths and develop a temperament like him. Harvey shows us how to maintain the perfect relationship between money and mental health. Poise can be a competitive advantage, after all!

“Win a no win situation by rewriting the rules.” – Harvey Specter

5. Dreams demand action

Of course, you would have dreams but do you have goals? Or do you make an effort to translate your dreams into goals? In one of the arguments in the show, Harvey says, “I do not have dreams; I have goals.” Now you see how influential the power of goals is. We might forget our dreams someday, but we do not forget our goals.

Having said that, unless your dreams turn into goals, they may be useless. This is the simple reason why every dreamer is not an achiever. Harvey has a staunch belief in aims and objectives, and that is what makes him so successful. The lawyer in him and the person in him are exemplary, given how they prioritize their ambitions.

6. Win the battle and not the battleground

Harvey knows how to win a no-win situation, and that is a rare trait to have. People who have watched Suits will already know that Harvey likes to settle most of his lawsuits outside the court. He believes in winning the battle even before it goes to the battleground. It is obvious that it saves a lot of time and effort. So, for all those who are big fans of procrastination, this is a lesson for them to learn. To attain success and recognition, you need to act in time and eliminate escalations. If you do it the Harvey way, you can make victory a beloved friend. Managing time and resources in an effective way is crucial to success.

7. Fixing problems is far better than complaining about them

If you are working on something, your job is to complete it and fix the loose ends. You cannot keep cribbing about the problems you are facing to complete the task. You volunteered for the task, or you self-assigned a task to yourself because you are capable enough. Others do not have the time to listen to your complaints, and you do not have much time to waste.

This is where a lot of people miss the bus. They keep waiting for miracles to fix things. In this large amount of time they waste, others take the lead. But you have to fend for yourself and fix your own problems. If you are going to enjoy the credit of the achievement all by yourself, why not fix the issues on your own?

To wrap up, first, you need to start watching Suits if you have not watched it yet. Once you do, you will, by default, feel the urge to learn from Harvey’s cunning and positive character. Besides, if you are an aspiring lawyer, Harvey can be a perfect epitome for you. The charm with which he expresses meaningful learnings of life and success is astonishing. He keeps it simple, uncomplicated and pays more heed to triumphs than fearing losses. He may be a fictional character at the end of the day, but we can always learn a few tricks from his illustrious aura. Living life the Harvey Specter way can be a way to success!

7 Key Lessons on Success From Suits’ Harvey Specter - Addicted 2 Success (2024)

FAQs

7 Key Lessons on Success From Suits’ Harvey Specter - Addicted 2 Success? ›

Rule # 1 - Winners don't whine

The lesson to learn here is that whining will never solve a problem, so why bother. As grave as a situation may be, there is always at least one option that is better than whining - try that one.

What is the rule #1 of Harvey Specter? ›

Rule # 1 - Winners don't whine

The lesson to learn here is that whining will never solve a problem, so why bother. As grave as a situation may be, there is always at least one option that is better than whining - try that one.

What is the message behind suits? ›

When you feel like there are no options left to deal with your situation, remind yourself that there's always a way. Don't do anything unethical because you have no choice. That will affect the reputation of your company. Remind yourself of the consequences of a decision before you take action.

How to be as successful as Harvey Specter? ›

14 Career lessons you can take from Harvey Specter | Suits
  1. Aim high and don't think like a rookie even if you are one. ...
  2. Don't try to lose small, rather win big. ...
  3. Have a plan B in life. ...
  4. Work hard every single day of your life. ...
  5. Winners don't give excuses. ...
  6. Value your real friends. ...
  7. Take charge of your own responsibilities.
Nov 12, 2016

What is the IQ of Harvey Specter? ›

I'll say 126 on current Wechsler (WAIS–IV, WPPSI–IV) IQ classification.

Who is Harvey Specter biggest enemy? ›

He has a rivalry with Louis Litt that began when they were associates; though Harvey feels superior to Louis and often mocks him, he respects Louis, acknowledging his financial expertise and commitment to the firm, and considers him a skilled lawyer.

Why was Mike written out of Suits? ›

It didn't feel right for where I was at in my life, either. I started having conversations with Aaron and we both decided [Adams leaving] made sense, as sad and scary as it was. It just felt like it was the way to go.

Why do Suits represent power? ›

A SYMBOL OF POWER IS BORN

Because if you did have to wear a suit, it meant you had a professional line of work – and quite often a very powerful one at that.

What is Mike Big secret on Suits? ›

Mike had been admitted as a transfer student to Harvard for the next year immediately before. The dean was forced to resign and his last act was to expel Mike and tell Harvard what he did so he would never get in.

What makes Harvey Specter so attractive? ›

He is charming, with a smooth smile, witty, confident and you know he is the smartest guy in the room. A men's man, surrounded by sports paraphernalia, an impeccable taste and an eye for detail. His suits are created to convey his level of power.

Why is Harvey Specter so successful? ›

Harvey Spector is famous for his excellent communication abilities, being able to assert himself and make his point in any setting. Success in both personal and professional life depends on good communication.

What personality type is Harvey Specter? ›

Harvey Specter is an ENTJ personality type. He is highly rational and has a talent for reaching his goals. Charismatic and ambitious, he is a natural leader. With unmatched confidence and drive, he will keep going until he achieves what he set out to do.

What are 5 famous quotes? ›

Famous quotes in English
QuoteWhoLanguage
That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.Neil ArmstrongEnglish
The love of money is the root of all evil.the BibleGreek
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.Franklin D. RooseveltEnglish
The truth will set you free.the BibleGreek
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What is the best Harvey Dent quote? ›

You Either Die A Hero Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain.” One of the most famous quotes from The Dark Knight that is still used by people even outside the fandom is spoken by Harvey Dent.

Who is smarter Harvey or Louis? ›

Louis is clearly a smart lawyer and with loyalty being his core value, he often wins over the hearts and minds of the audience, however he lacks confidence. Harvey, on the other hand, may not be as smart as Louis, but he oozes self-assurance and has built his career on one thing; winning.

Who is the richest character in suits? ›

Charles Forstman is a billionaire with a bad reputation of being a shady and manipulative banker.

Who is the highest IQ character? ›

Most high IQ characters
RankAverage ratingName
199.8Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
299.5L (Death Note)
399.1Tuvok (Star Trek: Voyager)
498.9Dr. Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)
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Dec 2, 2022

Is Harvey Specter Narcissistic? ›

Harvey, on the other hand, may not be as smart as Louis, but he is smooth and confident. He is also a narcissist, which makes him a difficult partner.

Who is better than Harvey Specter? ›

Litt has a deeper clientele and produces the highest billables in the firm, far more than Specter. He is the best finance-lawyer in the city and is loyal to the firm as much as Specter, if not more. However, Specter is favoured both in the firm and by the audience, almost always.

Is Harvey Specter an Alpha? ›

Harvey Specter sees himself as better than anyone else, he is #confident around everyone: Clients and colleagues. He decides to be an alpha male and act confident.

Why did they cancel Suits? ›

Explaining why they decided to end production after season nine - with many hypothesising it was a result of Markle's departure - Korsh explained it had to do with contracts. You can never know that one of your stars is going to marry the Prince of England.

What was Meghan Markle salary on Suits? ›

She starred in hit shows such as General Hospital, CSI, and 90210 before landing her long-time role as Rachel Zane in Suits, which she took on for seven seasons and earned $50,000 per episode, per Parade.

Who replaced Meghan Markle in Suits? ›

Katherine Heigl will join the cast of Suits from season eight. There are some big changes happening within the cast of Suits.

Why do men only wear black suits? ›

Black is associated with a certain type of formality. Since historical times, a black suit has been worn to symbolise mourning, and to show respect to the deceased and their loved ones. It is also the appropriate colour for evening events that call for black tie or the even more formal, white tie.

Why do all men look good in suits? ›

Suits are more flattering to the body shape, making the wearer seem taller and slimmer. Suits are fashionable at the moment, popular with young and old alike. A man in a suit projects himself as someone who is successful and reliable. This suggests that he is good boyfriend material.

Why do men not wear suits anymore? ›

Now, the “suit” has become casual-looking and has taken a back seat to more causal clothing styles like t-shirts and jeans. With globalization, American clothing standards have caused many other countries to emulate the same causal dressing styles, causing a decline in the “traditional” suit's use in daily life.

Who betrays Mike in Suits? ›

Mike and Louis discover that it was Sheila Sazs who reported Mike to the authorities after Louis recognises the wording and language in the anonymous email (sent from a general Harvard Faculty address) as hers.

What is Mike's IQ in Suits? ›

However, Mike would probably be around 150–160 as he has used his eidetic memory to obtain vast amounts of knowledge that has left him with a better knowledge of the law than Harvey. Mike is younger and so is less experienced in law which makes people think that he is worse.

Why did Sheila turn Mike in? ›

Sheila works at Harvard, found out there was a guy pretending he went to Harvard Law and sent it in. That was the main reason; she wasn't doing it out of malice or to get back at Mike or revenge. It was just like, this is her job and she did it.

Who is smarter Mike or Harvey? ›

Mike Ross has a photographic memory. So, naturally he is more well-versed in law than Harvey Specter theoretically. Harvey, on the other hand has wider experience in real-life and has more chance of succeeding. Most of the good ideas in the cases are brought forward by Mike Ross.

Is Harvey Specter intelligent? ›

1. He's witty, smart and AWESOME. One thing that sets Harvey apart from the crowd is his sheer confidence in himself and how witty, charming and smart he is. He firmly believes in his awesomeness and though, he knows that he's co*cky, he loves his co*ckiness.

What would Harvey Specter's salary be? ›

It is typical of prestigious service firms to charge 3x the hourly wage, so Harvey's estimated hourly wage would be $333. Annualized, this gives us $666,000.

What type of lawyer is Louis Litt? ›

Louis Marlowe Litt, M.B.A., J.D., Esq. is a corporate attorney and the managing and name partner of Litt Wheeler Williams Bennett. He was promoted to the position of senior partner at Pearson Hardman by Daniel Hardman prior to the latter's second dismissal from the firm, and was also the quartermaster of Pearson Darby.

Is Suits a realistic show? ›

"Suits" is a work of fiction, but it turns out there's a lot more to the story that's drawn from showrunner Aaron Korsh's life than you'd think. The characters on “Suits” always seem larger than life, the kind of people who can only exist on a dramatic, high-stakes TV show.

How much does it cost to live like Harvey Specter? ›

Taking everything into account, you'd have to make at least $1 million a year after taxes to experience Specter's lavish lifestyle – and that's still being conservative.

What's the rarest personality type? ›

If you happened to fall into the INFJ personality type, you're a rare breed; only 1.5 percent of the general population fits into that category, making it the rarest personality type in the world. When it comes to physical attributes, this is the rarest hair and eye color combination in humans.

Is Harvey Specter Manipulative? ›

But nice guys finish last, and Harvey Specter likes to win. So while he might be ruthless, manipulative, aggressive and staggeringly arrogant, he's also the type of person you'd want to sit next to, rather than opposite, in a negotiation.

Does Harvey have anxiety in Suits? ›

The fear of abandonment: That's what Harvey's been struggling with for a long time. This is where his anxiety attacks have come from, and these are the issues he has with his mother.

How do you get Harvey Specter mentality? ›

Confidence and Charisma, 8 Lessons to Learn From Harvey Specter
  1. Use gestures as you talk. Harvey Specter is a highly competent lawyer. ...
  2. Stand up to make your point. ...
  3. Engage in strong eye contact. ...
  4. Hold an upright posture. ...
  5. Sit comfortably. ...
  6. Have a firm handshake. ...
  7. Dress to impress. ...
  8. Do not fidget.

Who is the mastermind of SPECTRE? ›

Franz Oberhauser / Ernst Stavro Blofeld – the mastermind behind Spectre and its subsidiary Quantum. Attempts to secure a monopoly on the "Nine Eyes" global intelligence initiative and establish Spectre as a supra-national world power. Taken into custody after Bond shoots down his helicopter.

What does M stand for in SPECTRE? ›

“How predictably moronic. But isn't that what M stands for? Moron” - Denbigh, SPECTRE.

What is the most powerful quote ever? ›

  1. 21 Of The World's Most Powerful Quotes, Updated For Today. ...
  2. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ...
  3. “Everybody is a genius. ...
  4. “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” ...
  5. “He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears.”
Jan 8, 2018

What is the most famous line of all time? ›

The list
RankQuotationYear
1"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."1939
2"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."1972
3"You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am."1954
4"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."1939
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What was Harvey Dent a symbol of? ›

“You're the symbol of hope I could never be,” Batman tells Dent. “Your stand against organized crime is the first legitimate ray of light in Gotham in decades.

What is the famous Two-Face quote? ›

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." "The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming." "Why should I hide who I am?"

What is an inspirational Paul Harvey quote? ›

Paul Harvey Quotes
  • When your outgo exceeds your income, the upshot may be your downfall. ...
  • In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these. ...
  • Self-government won't work without self-discipline. ...
  • Now you know the rest of the story.

What are Harvey Specter's credentials? ›

Harvey Reginald Specter, J.D. is a former corporate attorney, one of the name partners at Specter Litt Wheeler Williams, the managing partner of Specter Litt, and a former Assistant District Attorney for the New York County District Attorney's Office. He is also the husband of Donna Paulsen.

How to act like Harvey Specter? ›

How to be Harvey Specter?
  1. Get a tailor and buy expensive suits, shoes and watches.
  2. Drink single malt scotch.
  3. No skinny ties. ...
  4. Take care of your coiffure .
  5. Know your movie references. ...
  6. Pretend not to care.
  7. Hand gestures and facial expressions are very important. ...
  8. Be very vague and withhold advice until the last minute.

Who is the richest character in Suits? ›

Charles Forstman is a billionaire with a bad reputation of being a shady and manipulative banker.

What was Donna's salary? ›

What car does Harvey Specter use? Donna's salary in suits is $75 per hour.

What does Harvey make per hour? ›

How much does Harveys Supermarkets in the United States pay? Average Harveys Supermarkets hourly pay ranges from approximately $8.45 per hour for Produce Associate to $19.25 per hour for Market Manager.

Why is Harvey Specter so attractive? ›

He is charming, with a smooth smile, witty, confident and you know he is the smartest guy in the room. A men's man, surrounded by sports paraphernalia, an impeccable taste and an eye for detail. His suits are created to convey his level of power. To be that person in the room that everyone looks at and looks up to.

Who is smarter Mike Ross or Harvey Specter? ›

Mike Ross has a photographic memory. So, naturally he is more well-versed in law than Harvey Specter theoretically. Harvey, on the other hand has wider experience in real-life and has more chance of succeeding. Most of the good ideas in the cases are brought forward by Mike Ross.

Which firm is Suits based on? ›

Pearson Hardman LLP (later unofficially known as Pearson) was one of the top three major New York City law firms.

Does Harvey have anxiety in suits? ›

The fear of abandonment: That's what Harvey's been struggling with for a long time. This is where his anxiety attacks have come from, and these are the issues he has with his mother.

Is Harvey Specter co*cky? ›

Harvey is confident, co*cky and will do anything to win but that doesn't mean that he's prepared to break his strict moral code.

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