‘So start showing up like someone who deserves to be in the conversation. Own your ambition. Be arrogant in the best way.’ Agree with this concluding statement.
As regards the sentiment of the whole article, like with everything that relates to humanity; there needs to be a balance. Arrogance nowadays is conflated for audacity which is not a good attribute for living in a collective.
The title I found to be misleading somewhat. ‘Be Great or be Forgotten’. Most of the world’s greatest are not popularly known. This need to be great for popularity has led to a lot of performative actions without really caring, as the body of the article expresses.
Are we now equating greatness with being popular given the examples shared here? Not everyone can be Michael Jordan or Simone Biles, but some are excellent florists, community organisers, community health care workers, and librarians etc.
Does the relevance of their work mean they are any less important for not being known for it, outside of the communities, and the people they interact with?
BALANCE; otherwise it can be misleading though the intention is good.
Thank you so much for this, genuinely one of the most nuanced responses I’ve seen. You’re absolutely right: greatness doesn’t have to be loud and it certainly doesn’t have to be global. There’s something deeply important about the unseen work people do in communities, in care, in everyday life. And if the piece came across as centring visibility over value, that’s absolutely something I need to reflect on.
The intention wasn’t to conflate greatness with popularity, but to challenge the way so many of us hold ourselves back from even trying. Often out of fear, self-doubt, or conditioning. It was more about encouraging people to stop shrinking themselves, rather than suggesting the only valid form of greatness is global acclaim.
That said, you’ve highlighted an essential tension: there’s power in ambition, but there’s also power in humility, in service, in choosing a quiet kind of excellence. I agree, the conversation always needs balance and I really appreciate you bringing that back into focus.
(Also noted on the title! Might add a footnote to it moving forward.)
Greetings Kaysha. It is great interacting with you here. I understood your intention alright but my issue with writing is that interpretation from the audience might not be anticipated based on how certain views were espoused. I was commenting from that perspective but I am glad your response has offered further clarity into the intention of the article.
This made me think of 2 people - Simone Biles and Rachel Berry. On dancing with the stars, they wanted Simone to smile more and she said “smiling doesn’t win you gold medals.” And Rachel Berry was supposed to be a cringe character (and don’t get me wrong, she was), but she also CARED. She TRIED. Really great read. ❤️
I personally don't think it was arrogant at all to say you want to be one of the Greats! there is a beautiful drive and passion and I don't understand how that ever became uncool.
Hey! I wrote about the exact same thing from a different lens recently. Jumped with joy when I read your headline. Here's a link to it if you would live to read it.
This piece nails the cultural shift from detached irony to unapologetic ambition. But from a marketing lens, it’s also the perfect case study in brand positioning.
For years, brands leaned into effortless cool, minimalist designs, lowercase branding, “we’re just here if you vibe with us” energy. But the brands winning right now? They’re loud. They’re intentional. They declare their value. Look at Liquid Death’s aggressive branding, Skims dominating with confidence-driven messaging, or even how Apple moved from “Think Different” to “The best iPhone ever.”
The shift from nonchalance to greatness isn’t just about individuals, it’s about brands deciding to own their space. The ones that whisper get drowned out. The ones that know they’re great and say it? They lead.
Effort isn’t embarrassing. Wanting to win isn’t cringe. And in business, just like in culture, the loudest and boldest shape the future.
If improving your craft means being uncool, the difference gets more and more clwar, if you are discouraged from even trying. I wonder how this will affect the next generation, which (partly) grew up with the nonchalance attitude…
Honestly wish the nonchalant era hadn’t started. There’s nothing cool about it.
100% facts like why is it arrogant or even cringe to be striving for greatness. So beautifully put. I wrote a piece that touches on abit of this x
Because there’s a bunch of lazy socialists trying to cope with their lack of ambition
clock it🤏🏽
‘So start showing up like someone who deserves to be in the conversation. Own your ambition. Be arrogant in the best way.’ Agree with this concluding statement.
As regards the sentiment of the whole article, like with everything that relates to humanity; there needs to be a balance. Arrogance nowadays is conflated for audacity which is not a good attribute for living in a collective.
The title I found to be misleading somewhat. ‘Be Great or be Forgotten’. Most of the world’s greatest are not popularly known. This need to be great for popularity has led to a lot of performative actions without really caring, as the body of the article expresses.
Are we now equating greatness with being popular given the examples shared here? Not everyone can be Michael Jordan or Simone Biles, but some are excellent florists, community organisers, community health care workers, and librarians etc.
Does the relevance of their work mean they are any less important for not being known for it, outside of the communities, and the people they interact with?
BALANCE; otherwise it can be misleading though the intention is good.
Thank you so much for this, genuinely one of the most nuanced responses I’ve seen. You’re absolutely right: greatness doesn’t have to be loud and it certainly doesn’t have to be global. There’s something deeply important about the unseen work people do in communities, in care, in everyday life. And if the piece came across as centring visibility over value, that’s absolutely something I need to reflect on.
The intention wasn’t to conflate greatness with popularity, but to challenge the way so many of us hold ourselves back from even trying. Often out of fear, self-doubt, or conditioning. It was more about encouraging people to stop shrinking themselves, rather than suggesting the only valid form of greatness is global acclaim.
That said, you’ve highlighted an essential tension: there’s power in ambition, but there’s also power in humility, in service, in choosing a quiet kind of excellence. I agree, the conversation always needs balance and I really appreciate you bringing that back into focus.
(Also noted on the title! Might add a footnote to it moving forward.)
Greetings Kaysha. It is great interacting with you here. I understood your intention alright but my issue with writing is that interpretation from the audience might not be anticipated based on how certain views were espoused. I was commenting from that perspective but I am glad your response has offered further clarity into the intention of the article.
Thank you and keep ‘em coming. 🙏🏾
Best thing to read on a Monday morning and after a few years of shaming myself into mediocrity
Thank you 🤍
This made me think of 2 people - Simone Biles and Rachel Berry. On dancing with the stars, they wanted Simone to smile more and she said “smiling doesn’t win you gold medals.” And Rachel Berry was supposed to be a cringe character (and don’t get me wrong, she was), but she also CARED. She TRIED. Really great read. ❤️
I personally don't think it was arrogant at all to say you want to be one of the Greats! there is a beautiful drive and passion and I don't understand how that ever became uncool.
I watched Timothee's speech and it was exactly what I needed. Love the guy.
I hope everyone finds the courage to get out there and own their game - and grows the balls to do it.
Well said, Kaysha!
Hey! I wrote about the exact same thing from a different lens recently. Jumped with joy when I read your headline. Here's a link to it if you would live to read it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/piyushpal/p/on-trying-and-obsession-with-end?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=9hh3n
!!!
yesss. beautiful, thank you
Faccttttsssss
This piece nails the cultural shift from detached irony to unapologetic ambition. But from a marketing lens, it’s also the perfect case study in brand positioning.
For years, brands leaned into effortless cool, minimalist designs, lowercase branding, “we’re just here if you vibe with us” energy. But the brands winning right now? They’re loud. They’re intentional. They declare their value. Look at Liquid Death’s aggressive branding, Skims dominating with confidence-driven messaging, or even how Apple moved from “Think Different” to “The best iPhone ever.”
The shift from nonchalance to greatness isn’t just about individuals, it’s about brands deciding to own their space. The ones that whisper get drowned out. The ones that know they’re great and say it? They lead.
Effort isn’t embarrassing. Wanting to win isn’t cringe. And in business, just like in culture, the loudest and boldest shape the future.
“ The Nonchalant Gimmick Is Over—The Future Belongs to Those Who Care”….a word!
God I love this. It's time to start showing up instead of trying to hard to be humble!!!
If improving your craft means being uncool, the difference gets more and more clwar, if you are discouraged from even trying. I wonder how this will affect the next generation, which (partly) grew up with the nonchalance attitude…
This is the wake up call I needed 🌻