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The Penalty of Leadership

In every field of human endeavour, he that is first must perpetually live in the bright light of publicity.  Whether the leadership be vested in a man, a woman, a service or a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work. Whether you excel in art, in literature, in industry or in business, the consequences are much the same - recognition followed by fierce criticism and detraction.

If your work is merely mediocre you will be left alone.  But if your work sets a new standard it becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few. Jealousy just does not protrude its forked tongue at the artist who produces  an ordinary painting, the writer who writes an adequate book, the business leader who simply survives.

Whatsoever you write or do or build, no one will strive to surpress or slander you unless your work is stamped with the seal of greatness. Long, long after a deed has been accomplished, spiteful little voices  will be raised continuing to denounce that it has not been done sufficiently, or fairly or  in the right way.   Those who are dethroned and displaced will argue angrily that your work is insignificant or immitative.

The leader is assailed because he or she IS a leader.
Those who fail to equal or excel will be quick to depreciate and destroy. There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and human passion. 

But that which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamour of denial.  Ignore the naysayers who tell you it is not worth the effort, the time or the energy to be the best.  Lead your field, hold your head high and embrace the resulting praise or criticism with equal indifference.