Have you ever been the “star girl” in a team?
The GOAT? The rainmaker?
I’ve played in corporate for a decade and a half
I know the rhythm of the standing ovation,
The slow clap that turns to silence.
Let me tell you
The applause of men lasts only as long as you’re giving them what they want:
Value. Results. Performance.
That’s the real scorecard.
And when - not if - you stumble, pause, or stop,
The applause fades.
The spotlight shifts.
And if your identity was rooted in that applause,
You’ll lose your footing - and your peace.
I’ve seen it too many times.
The entrepreneurs once headlining every conference
Forbes cover, CNBC interviews
Now ghosts on the scene because the business hit a storm.
Senior execs edged out quietly
Because they dared to have a child
Or needed time to heal.
The show? It goes on.
The most dangerous place to live
Is to live for the applause of men
For some leader,
Some crowd.
A few years ago, I was terminally ill.
Everything went quiet.
And I learned - the hard way
That you were created to live for the applause of One.
If you’re lucky or blessed
You’ll find your tribe in that process.
A few souls who love you through the applause
And through the boos.
Selah.