When People Refuse To Acknowledge Your Greatness

“I opened the door for a lot of people, and they just ran through and left me holding the knob,” said Bo Diddley to The New York Times in 2003.

Mr. Diddley died today from heart failure. Last year he suffered a stroke and a heart attack. Perhaps he died from a lack of respect. He considered himself the father of rock and roll. According to the New York Times he was disappointed that he was never able to collect royalties from artists who borrowed his sound.

We’ve heard this before. In fact, quite often. People are bitter that their greatness is unrecognized. They are legendary in their own minds and want to be considered that in the minds of us all. Reality is what it is. Bo Diddley may have been great. Phenomenal even. But the public determines who gets credit. And who doesn’t. They determine who gets paid. And who doesn’t.

Mike Vanderjagt came to Dallas from Indy. The Cowboys have experienced their fair share of egos, but number 13 was by far the greatest of the out-of-control egos! He was 13-18 through 10 games when coach Parcells said, “See ya!” Today, he returns to the Canadian Football League where his talents are appreciated.

He once described his accomplishments to Dallas media as “mind blowing.” He said if he hadn’t gotten on with Dallas when he did it wouldn’t be a problem, because he’d just go to Canada and be the highest paid kicker ever. He took some crap in Indy because he was such a lousy teammate. He took crap here in Dallas for the same reason, coupled with his ineptness. But his greatness isn’t fully appreciated. Just ask him.

It’s very common to read of some famous person who resents not being fully appreciated for how great they are. They try to demand their rightful place in history. Authors, painters, musicians, athletes, scientists, politicians - few, if any endeavors, are exempt. Every industry is full of under-appreciated greatness. None have been able to sway the masses with their complaints.

Whining is ineffective in selling others on our greatness. Few people are swayed toward more highly regarding a whiner. Dead or alive, greatness is bestowed on people by others. Greatness cannot be self-appointed. If it could, we’d all be great. And sadly, we aren’t.

When people refuse to recognize your greatness you have but two choices:

Accept it.

Whine about it.

Well, maybe there is a third option. Be so great that everybody sees it!

Postscript - Humility helps. The Dallas Star’s captain is a perfect example. Read more here.