Defining exactly what greatness is can be tricky. For example, what do Bill Gates, Picasso and Marilyn Monroe have in common? Not much, except that they have left us a unique legacy that has made them household names. We could argue that they are icons because they were great at what they did. We could view them as pioneers who swam against the current.
However, there are millions of unsung greats who were not necessarily pioneers or disruptors. These are the great mothers and fathers, the great friends, the great mentors and teachers who left their imprint on their immediate circle. Yet, the world knows nothing about them nor would consider them great.
Greatness is a curious cocktail that is hard to define in specific words. And yet, we all recognize greatness when we see it. Perhaps the definition will become clearer if we exclude what greatness is NOT.
Greatness Is Not Fame
Hitler, Stalin and Osama Bin Laden are three of the most famous names on the planet but nobody (except for some mentally challenged crackpots) would consider them great. Being famous – or infamous in this case – is not a criterion for greatness. However, greatness can bring great fame, and the examples are endless.
Greatness Is Not Wealth
Many of us think that being rich makes you a great person. This is false. Pursuing wealth for its own sake makes a person anything but great, as it can bring out some pretty horrible qualities.
Greatness is not measured by X millions or billions of dollars. Greatness can bring great wealth but never the other way around.
Greatness Is Not Physical Strength
We only must look at Gandhi or Mother Theresa to know that greatness does not come from physical strength. However, both Gandhi and Mother Theresa had an amazing strength of character, which is one of the qualities that made them great.