Not just your Heroes, everyone Thinks Differently
Lesson from Elon Musk and Donald Trump friendship
Elon Musk, one of the richest men in the world, thinks differently for him to be able to create SpaceX, Tesla Motors, etc. Similarly, Steve Jobs is admired by many for building Apple.
In his book Same as Ever, author Morgan Housel quotes – “People who are admired the most in any field, tend to think differently”.
People are often surprised on meeting these popular figures in person, and not just in any interview or a brief interaction.
The saying, “Never meet your heroes”, is quoted to emphasize the fact that your hero may not think or act the way you would expect them to.
Multiple politicians who have inspired the public with their speeches and leadership qualities may not thrive in their personal relationships.
Whether it is Tony Stark from Marvel, or Narendra Modi – a political hero for many, people assume their heroes think in ways that match their own ideals. This expectation then extends to heroes in all spheres of life.
“Some people don’t like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster.” – Elon Musk
Many were surprised by Musk’s public support for Trump during the recent US Presidential Elections, expecting the former’s views would not align with the latter. After all, Musk is often seen as a tech genius working for humanity’s well-being, along with SpaceX’s mission to make humans as interplanetary species.
If Elon can think differently to create SpaceX, he also can have a different perception of politics and power – views that many do not agree with, considering he had the image of a hero.
In short, people who think uniquely stand out, in any field. This is precisely why they may also stand out in ways that don’t match others’ expectations.
The way to achieve success in any field requires one to think and behave differently. The same applies when we’re older too. We become a version of ourselves that might differ from who we once were. Due to this, many close friends decide to drift apart over time, because they struggle to relate to us.
This is natural. The lesson is to not be disappointed when your hero isn’t the same person in real life or doesn’t share your views on certain topics. Similarly, when friends change over time to become a different version of themselves, one should not take it to heart.
People will change emotionally and also reveal other aspects of themselves over time. One must accept this fact and let their admiration for them be intact. That’s a sign of maturity.
Once you get a hold on this habit, one can excel in relationships.
