JBKlutse Writes: Embrace collective success – broaden your path to greatness

It’s essential to realise that talent alone is not a guarantee for success. Unfortunately, many individuals, blessed with great abilities, often lose sight of the path to greatness simply because they become overly fixated on carving out their own niche. This pursuit of personal enterprises, while commendable, can sometimes cloud judgment and lead to missed opportunities, causing talent to fade in the backdrop of struggle.

There is a pervasive notion that success comes from being a self-made individual, which can inadvertently push talented people into unnecessary hardships – one shouldn’t starve in a bid to craft their own legacy. It’s crucial to remember that success is multifaceted; it can come from collaboration, shared visions, and mutual growth. Therefore, it’s equally important, if not more, to be open to contributing to the collective success of larger initiatives. This way, you are not only enhancing your skills and broadening your perspectives but also accelerating your journey towards greatness.

Consider concentrating your efforts on a select few tasks and execute them with excellence, rather than spreading yourself too thin by attempting everything. There’s also no compulsory rule stating you must always pioneer your own projects. You can find immense fulfilment and success in aiding others to realise their dreams.

Indeed, there are countless examples of individuals amassing significant wealth through championing the visions of others. Holding a leadership position or being self-employed doesn’t guarantee success; it is the value you bring and the results you deliver that truly matter. After all, one can be the boss of nothing, whilst an employee in another setting may be earning handsomely.

Some notable examples to reflect on:

1. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs – Wozniak, the technical genius behind Apple, joined forces with the visionary Steve Jobs. Instead of branching out on his own, Wozniak’s decision to collaborate with Jobs resulted in one of the most successful technology companies in history.
2. Pierre Omidyar and Jeff Skoll – When Pierre Omidyar founded eBay, he could have chosen to go it alone. However, he partnered with Jeff Skoll, and their combined efforts created one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
3. Larry Page and Sergey Brin – Both extremely talented in their own right, Page and Brin could have pursued individual paths in tech. Instead, they worked together, bringing to life the search engine giant, Google.
4. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard – They started their journey in a garage, combining their respective skills to establish Hewlett-Packard. Today, HP is a leading name in the tech industry worldwide.
5. Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita (Sony) – In post-war Japan, two men, Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, combined their talents to create Sony. Their partnership revolutionised consumer electronics and laid the foundation for Japan’s technological renaissance.
6. Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group) – In India, Kumar Mangalam Birla, rather than starting his own venture, took charge of the Aditya Birla Group after his father’s demise. Today, the conglomerate stands as one of the most successful in India, spanning various sectors from cement to telecom.
7. Mo Ibrahim (Celtel) – Mo Ibrahim, an entrepreneur from Sudan, founded Celtel, a mobile networking company in Africa. He chose to serve the under-represented market instead of starting his venture in saturated western markets. This led to Celtel’s immense success.
8. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO) – Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist, chose to lend her talent to various international organizations, such as the World Bank and the WTO, rather than starting her own venture. Her efforts significantly influenced global financial policies.
9. Amancio Ortega (Inditex, Zara) – Ortega could have focused solely on creating his brand, but instead, he chose to establish Inditex, a fashion group that owns several brands, including Zara. This diversified approach catapulted him to success in the global fashion industry.
10. Jack Ma (Alibaba) – Jack Ma, although starting Alibaba himself, famously credits his success to his team and the shared vision they worked towards. His focus wasn’t on individual glory but on creating a platform that empowered countless other businesses.

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