Managing Success and Its Challenges
Summary: The document suggests the possibility that success can lead to arrogance, isolation, and poor judgment when people stop listening and taking others into account. It emphasizes that sustaining success requires humility, openness to feedback, and adaptability. Respecting others, questioning assumptions, and valuing the “invisible hands” behind achievements help preserve relationships and long-term progress..
What happens to some people after they achieve success and distinction? At some stage, they may stop listening to others or paying attention to problems and causes that do not seem to affect them immediately or threaten their lifestyles. They become comfortable with their achievements and stop noticing the subtle signs of problems, conflicts, and grievances that may eventually lead to bigger problems and crises. By that time, they might also have exhausted much of their goodwill and lost many friends and relationships that were part of their early successes. Depending on your nature, success can become a positive or negative force in your life. It can enlarge your circle of friends, well-wishers, and influence, or it can constrict it and push you into a cocoon of your own making, where reality is largely defined by what you believe and assume rather than by what is.
This usually happens because of arrogance, confidence, or both, which prevents successful people from being flexible, humble, and careful, or from exercising caution. As a result, they make mistakes in their choices and decisions that lead to further problems and isolation. If you are chugging along and enjoying the sweet fruit of success, remember this: achieving success is one part, and managing it is an even greater responsibility. To sustain your success and enjoy its sweet fruits, you must be humble, open-minded, and willing to change and adapt when the situation demands. Most importantly, you must think of others who matter to you and make them part of your success story.
Many people become alienated because of the assumptive behavior or the “know-it-all” attitude that some successful people develop in the aftermath of success. It is necessary to remember that, however successful you may be, you should not take people for granted, because human nature is such that you cannot always predict how someone will behave in particular situations or how they may respond to you. To avoid ruptures and friction, it is better to check with others and understand what is going on in their minds and lives before you implement actions that may directly affect them. Even if they are extremely friendly or loyal, show them respect by paying attention to their opinions and advice.
If you are not willing to learn from others, show them courtesy, or pay attention to their feelings and emotions, it is a sign that success has gone to your head and that you have forgotten the path you traveled, or the people who shared your journey and contributed to your success. Success is rarely achieved through individual effort alone. A team is always involved, even if you have seemingly struggled alone. Many invisible hands may have been part of your success story, including your parents, teachers, elders, guides, peers, friends, and colleagues. To be successful and remain successful, you must seek the help and cooperation of many people. Sometimes, you should actively approach them and engage them for advice, skills, and support. In particular, you need those who compensate for your lack of knowledge, resources, skills, or expertise in certain areas.
Therefore, if you want to continue on the path of success and sustain your progress, you must keep your head down, just as you do when you watch your steps while climbing a ladder. Pay particular attention to, and listen to, those who have minds of their own and do not fear you or simply agree with you. You should also question your decisions and judgments by examining unverified assumptions, logical errors, and irrational beliefs. In any situation, for your own good, strive to be careful, reasonable, and humble rather than arrogant, rude, or rigid.