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Why Being the Best Is Not Always Enough—
And What to Do Instead

  • sent by Siddharth Anantharam
  • March 5, 2025
Why Being the Best Is Not Always Enough—And What to Do Instead

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."

- Michael Jordan

“You worked harder than anyone. You delivered results. You were the best at what you do.

And yet… someone else got the recognition. Someone else got the reward. Someone else got the prize.

Feels unfair, right?

But here’s the truth:

Being the best is not enough.

This is a harsh truth that many high achievers struggle to accept.

You can be the most talented, the hardest working, and even the most dominant performer in your field—and still, you might not get the recognition you deserve.

And nowhere is this more evident than in the debate around the 2024 Ballon d’Or in the world of Football.

Two names stand out: Vinícius Júnior (Vini Jr.) and Rodri.

Both were extraordinary. Both were arguably the best in their roles. But only one player walked away with football’s most prestigious individual award.

This lesson goes beyond football. It’s something Cal Newport talks about in his book Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You—where he challenges the idea that talent and passion alone lead to success. Instead, he argues that what truly matters is building rare and valuable skills that make you indispensable.

And that’s exactly why Rodri beat Vini Jr to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Breakthrough Idea of the Week

The Difference Between Great and Essential

Vinícius Júnior is the player who makes you jump out of your seat. The dazzling dribbles, the game-winning goals, the highlights that dominate social media.

Rodri? He’s the player who controls the game in ways you barely notice. The calm in chaos. The foundation of championship-winning teams. The one who ensures everything works—but rarely gets the headlines.

One is electric. The other is essential.

So, who won?

Rodri – The one who made his teams unstoppable—not just the one who was the most exciting to watch. He embodied what Cal Newport calls “career capital”—the accumulation of skills, experience, and irreplaceable value that makes success inevitable.

Because in football, business, and life… winning isn’t just about talent. It’s about impact. It’s about making yourself indispensable.

Why Being the Best Is Not Always Enough—And What to Do Instead

Why the Best Don’t Always Win

Many high achievers believe that if they just get good enough, success is inevitable. But the truth is, success isn’t a pure meritocracy. It’s influenced by perception, timing, and positioning.

The same way Rodri’s consistency and influence may outweigh Vini Jr.’s flair, your career and business will be judged on factors beyond raw skill.

Three key lessons emerge from this:

  • Impact matters more than individual brilliance. You can be the best at what you do, but if it doesn’t translate into wins, others will get ahead.
  • Recognition isn’t just about talent—it’s about timing and narrative. People love stories. If you don’t shape the perception of your work, someone else will.
  • Winning is about team contribution, not just individual skill. Are you making others better? Are you driving outcomes? That’s what separates those who are great from those who are remembered.

Or put more simply:

Excellence gets noticed. Impact gets rewarded.

Pause & Reflect:
Are You Making Yourself Indispensable?

Pause & Reflect icon

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey:

  1. Are you focusing on flashy moments or long-term impact?
  2. Have you built rare and valuable skills that make you indispensable?
  1. If you left your current role, would people struggle to replace you?

If your value isn’t undeniable yet, it’s time to shift your focus.

COACHING TOOL OF THE WEEK

The Career Capital Scorecard

Inspired by Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You, this tool will help you assess whether you’re building career capital—the rare and valuable skills that make you indispensable.

How to Use It (5-Minute Exercise)

Rate yourself from 1 to 5 in each category:

infographic
infographic
  1. Rare Skills – Are you developing expertise that few others have?
  2. Consistent Impact – Does your work drive real results, not just occasional wins?
  3. Indispensability – If you left today, would your absence create a gap?
  4. Perception & Positioning – Are you actively shaping the way others see your value?
  • Score 16-20: You’re already a powerhouse—keep refining your edge.
  • Score 10-15: You’re on the right path, but you may need to strengthen a weak area.
  • Score below 10: Time to start building skills that make you irreplaceable.

Now, ask yourself: Which one area can I improve this week?

Because in the end, it’s not the most exciting player who wins—it’s the one no team can afford to lose.

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