What Is Greatness?
What is greatness? Is it about accomplishments, recognition, or influence? To me, greatness is much simpler yet deeply profound. Greatness is about being true to yourself and living out your values so effortlessly that they guide your actions unconsciously. It’s about leading not for the applause, but because leadership is who you are at your core.
Greatness stems from the values that define you. My core values are truth, honesty, respect, and empathy. These values shape how I see the world, guide my actions, and ensure I approach life with integrity. They form the foundation of who I am and how I interact with others, allowing me to live authentically.
Your greatness might look different. It may be rooted in your relationships, career, or personal aspirations. But understanding your values and aligning your life with them is essential to discovering who you truly are. And just like a foundation, your definition of greatness will evolve as you become more aligned with your true self.
My Journey to Greatness
As a child, I often felt unseen and unheard. This sense of neglect left a lasting impact on me. I resolved early on that I didn’t want anyone else to feel the way I did. That decision planted the seeds of empathy in me—a desire to connect with others and make them feel seen and valued.
Growing up, I had to navigate much of life on my own. This made me a self-learner, someone who sought answers, connected the dots, and interpreted the world in my own unique way. These traits helped me understand the bigger picture in any situation. They also fueled my curiosity about others’ lives—what shaped them, who they truly were, and the experiences that molded them.
I’ve always found beauty in people’s stories, even when their journeys were messy or complicated. It didn’t matter how difficult their pasts were or what mistakes they had made—recognizing their humanity and respecting their resilience allowed me to connect with them deeply.
Every small interaction, every difficult experience, every lesson I learned shaped the person I am today. Each moment, whether joyful or painful, was a stepping stone toward discovering my greatness.
What Held Me Back
For years, I couldn’t recognize my own greatness because I was afraid of what others thought of me. That fear confined me to a box. I became a reflection of the people around me, adapting to their personalities and hiding my true self.
In middle school, I lost sight of who I was or who I wanted to be. I let my fears dictate my actions and avoided stepping into my potential. Instead, I withdrew, spending most of my time playing video games and escaping the world.
It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I started to question my path. I began reading books and reflecting on questions like, “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?” Slowly, I started to reconnect with the person I was deep down—the empathetic, self-driven individual who always asked, “Why?”
I realized that truth and honesty weren’t just values—they were my guiding principles. By prioritizing truth, I started redefining who I was. I stopped worrying about how others perceived me and began to focus on aligning my life with what mattered most to me.
Looking back now, as a 30-year-old, I see how each small decision and moment of reflection shaped me. Truth and honesty have become my higher purpose, the foundation of the reality I strive to live in.
Living My Greatness Every Day
Today, my greatness is reflected in the way I connect with others. At work, I ask my coworkers about their life stories and values. I treat everyone equally—whether they’re interns or managers—because I believe that every person plays an important role in the bigger picture.
Most people just want to feel seen and heard. By listening to their stories, I’ve gained invaluable life lessons and a deeper understanding of the world. These connections remind me that greatness isn’t about grand gestures or achievements—it’s about the impact we make in the small, everyday moments.
What Does Greatness Look Like for You?
Greatness isn’t a destination. It’s a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and alignment with your values. So, what does greatness look like for you? Is it rooted in your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
Take a moment to reflect on your unique traits and what you have to offer the world. Your greatness is already within you—waiting to be embraced.
How will you begin living your greatness today?