Connect with us

Success Advice

What ACTUALLY Made Muhammad Ali the Greatest…Spoiler: It’s not Boxing

Greatness is within each and every one of us

Published

on

why is ali great
Image Credit: Unsplash

I watched a documentary on Muhammad Ali last night, and I’m always fascinated by a good story. Of course, we all know that Muhammad Ali was the greatest boxer of all time but what captivated me wasn’t his dedication to the ring as much as it was his dedication to the fullest expression of himself.

The Bravery to Change his Name Mid Career

I always knew Muhammad Ali wasn’t his birth name, but I was surprised to find out that he did, in fact start his career as Cassius Clay. It wasn’t until later in his career when he converted to Sunni Islam did he take on the name given to him by Elijah Muhammad, the leader of The Nation of Islam.

When we think of reinvention, we think of celebrities like Madonna or Michael Jackson but the act of reinventing oneself is an unprecedented step towards become more of who we are, especially for a public figure. 

Separate yourself for a moment from anything you might think of Muhammad Ali, or any celebrity for that fact. It’s easy to be on the outside looking in and make all kinds of assumptions about how easy their life is. But to think about what it would be like to decide you’re someone else, change your name and your faith entirely. Imagine.

The average person would experience fear of judgment, worry, fear of rejection among other things. And that’s just based on our perception of what family and friends might say, people who “know us” might say. But who knows you better than yourself?

The willingness to claim a new title, a new name, a new faith and do it as a public figure shows true dedication to the exploration of one’s true self regardless of the opinion of others. 

Committed to His Truth

In 1966 Muhammad Ali was drafted to join the war in Vietnam. It seems impossible to conceive that his decision to abstain would actually be the harder choice. He was dismissed, judged, ridiculed and call all sorts of names, by all accounts what we might call “cancelled” in this day and age. The courage it must have taken for a man to stand so firm in his faith that he was willing to lose everything.

He was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing. They even tried to strip him of his heavyweight titles which he later argued were earned and lost exclusively within the confines of the ring. 

Similar to having the willingness to change his name, His decision to evade the draft was not made through the lens of what others would say, or how they might treat him but based solely in faith and truth, a quality that resonated with so many, a quality that we all possess when we can have the willingness to strip away the layers that stand between our ego and who we truly are. 

“Live every day as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.” – Muhammad Ali

Master Manifestor

Whether you’re a well versed student of manifestation and the laws of attraction or it is completely unfamiliar to you how things come into existence, anyone who has seen Muhammad Ali walk, talk, box and give a speech can understand the power of speaking things into existence.

Here’s the hook, he didn’t just talk about it, he was it. He embodied it. You can tell by the way he carried himself, the way he spoke with sheer knowing about who he was and what he was capable of. On paper he looks like an arrogant, cocky athlete but somehow it was so genuine and authentic you couldn’t help but be inspired by his confidence and self worth.

Love it or hate it, there is no discrepancy on how deeply and intrinsically he knew his value and ability to be his full self. 

Bigger Than Boxing 

There comes a time in every person’s life when it becomes bigger than you. Maybe it’s the time you become a parent, maybe it’s the time you build a business, maybe you become a public figure and people look to you to find more of themselves.

During what could have been viewed as some of the darkest times of his life while resisting the draft, Muhammed Ali rose up as one of the greatest social activists of all times. He united people beyond color through social justice for all. His mission became more than boxing, less me and more we. ‘

The Greatest

By all accounts, it seems the intention was to strip him of everything that made him “the greatest” but what they didn’t account for was the fact that boxing was his vehicle for greatness but what made him great was something they couldn’t take away. His essence, his truth, his commitment to being his authentic self and inspiring others to do the same.

What a perfect time to stumble upon this documentary in the New Year. A time to reflect on who we want to be in this world and how we want to be remembered. 

“To be a champion is to convert obstacles into stepping stones”

Take a note out of the training manual of Muhammad Ali and decide to be the greatest this year. Be brave enough to constantly reinvent yourself to become the truest version of you, no matter what others might say or think. 

Remain committed to your truth in all times, good and bad, hard and favored, it will be the most intimate season of getting to know oneself on the deepest level. 

Speak things into existence. Worry less about the how, and more about the possibilities and opportunities ahead of you. You are the universe, and the universe is in you. 

Manifest everything you can imagine and be detached from the how. And remember that leaving a legacy means having a lasting impact on others. 

Greatness is within each and every one of us. It is woven into the fabric of our existence in this human experience. Greatness does not require skill or talent but a commitment to being the truest expression of oneself. Master your craft, yes, but master yourself first and just like Muhammad Ali, you too will be the greatest.

Alaura Lovelight is a dynamic RnB singer, TV producer, host, and sought-after Conscious Creative expert. With a passion for empowering creatives and business professionals, Alaura helps transform creative energy into thriving online streams of income. Her work goes beyond strategy—she’s dedicated to guiding individuals in unlocking their true potential, shifting mindsets, and embracing their worthiness to design a life they truly love. 💫 Ready to turn your passion into profit? Click here to learn more about these strategies.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Published

on

Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

Continue Reading

Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

Published

on

leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

Published

on

Bridging the gap between employees and employers
Image Credit: Midjourney

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

Published

on

entrepreneurial leadership skills and traits
Image Credit: Midjourney

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending