We live in a world obsessed with crowns. Titles, platforms, applause, and influence all whisper that our worth is measured by how many people are watching. We chase stages before we have learned to stand in the shadows. We want the crown, but not the cross.
But real purpose never skips the process. Even the greatest story ever told began in humility. Before glory came surrender. Before the crown came the cross.
That has always been the order. The path to lasting impact does not run through applause but through obedience. It is the quiet yes when no one is watching. It is faithfulness in the small things when recognition feels far away.
If we are honest, this is where many of us struggle. The pull of attention is powerful. The comfort of being seen, the affirmation of being praised, the validation of being admired all feel good. But a crown without a cross will always cost more than it gives. Success without surrender will eventually crush you.
The Selfless Way: The Currency of Trust
Some leaders think influence is built on charisma, power, or titles. But over time, I have learned that real influence runs on one thing: trust.
Trust is the currency of leadership. It is earned slowly, spent daily, and can be lost instantly. Once it is gone, rebuilding it takes more than words. It takes consistency, humility, and time.
I think about this every time I remember one of the most meaningful partnerships of my life. Back in 2017, when Hurricane Irma hit Florida, Michael Johnson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club and now the author of The Audacity to Lead, called me. We both wanted to help people who had lost everything. There were no contracts, no lawyers, no fine print. Just trust. We both said, “Let’s go,” and we did. Because when trust is real, you do not need signatures. You just need shared purpose.
That kind of trust is rare. It is not flashy. It is built one honest conversation, one kept promise, one moment of integrity at a time.