The Bad Side of Being “Good”
Why being great at something isn’t always what makes you great.
3 min read
I’ve been teaching my youngest daughter how to play baseball. Well—tee-ball, really. We started with the basics: how to choke up on the bat, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and always, always keep your eye on the ball. Oh—and never let go of the bat. That one we learned the hard way.
It’s been fun watching her try something brand new, where every move feels awkward and unfamiliar. But what surprised me most was how quickly she wanted to be great at it—right out of the gate.
And honestly, that’s not just her. It’s all of us.
From the time we’re little, we’re wired to want to be the best. Best at counting, best at coloring in the lines, best friend, best man. Somewhere along the way, we learn that being “the best” means we matter more.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be great. But if you’re not careful, that drive can get twisted.
Being good at something now doesn’t give you permission to stop growing.
I still remember being a high school kid messing around in Photoshop, just doing what looked cool. I didn’t know what kerning was or why grids mattered—I was just learning. But I kept going. I kept connecting the dots. And over time, that turned into a career in design. Not without its fair share of mistakes, but that’s how you grow.
One thing I’ve learned since then—whether working freelance, on a team, or leading one—is this:
Being good at something now doesn’t give you permission to stop growing.
I’ve met some incredibly talented people over the years. Some of them are humble, curious, always learning. And some… well, some carry their skill like a badge. They lead with ego. You can spot the difference a mile away.
The folks who keep learning—no matter how much experience they have—those are the ones who go on to do the truly great work. Not just once, but again and again.
Stay a student. That’s the real flex.