The Greatness of Others
Right after their Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach, Nick Sirianni said, “You cannot be great without the greatness of others.” He also referred to football being, “the ultimate team sport.” I love this idea of not being able to be great without the greatness of others. It is true of everything, not just football. None of us can claim any greatness with acknowledging the greatness of others that helped make it all possible.
Nothing happens in isolation. This made me think back to reading the 50th anniversary edition of Thomas S. Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Kuhn reminded us that discoveries and advancements do not occur in isolation or as the result of a single individual’s efforts. While he was referring to the field of science, I believe this is true for everything. As Sir Isaac Newton so aptly put it, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” He understood we cannot be great without the greatness of others. Newton knew he didn’t dream everything up himself, but was relying on the ideas of others before him.
Everything in life is a collective endeavor. Discoveries are often the result of collaboration and communication within communities rather than solo pursuits. We build on each other’s work, share ideas, and engage in debates that drive innovation. We need others to be great and others need us to be our best to help make them great.
Byron's Babbles 
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