When Pharaoh looked at the children of Israel and saw how they were multiplying and becoming strong, his immediate reaction was fear—not inspiration. He didn’t ask, “What are they doing right?” “What is the secret for their exponential population growth?” instead, he asked, “How do we stop them?” He strategized their downfall instead of improving Egypt’s own strength. This ancient mindset is still with us today. Ex. 1:8-22

Far too many leaders, peers, colleagues—even family members—see another person’s growth as a threat rather than a learning opportunity. But here’s the truth: someone else’s success is not the reason for your failure.

Success is not a limited resource. It’s not like limited oxygen gas in a room where if one person inhales more, another suffocates. There’s enough room at the top for all who are willing to climb. Pharaoh could have asked, “What values, discipline, or systems are making these people so productive and strong?” Instead, he tried to crush what he feared. He saw strength and perceived danger.

This mindset shows up in the workplace, in churches, in politics, in homes. A team member begins to shine, and suddenly they’re being sidelined. A rising voice in a ministry is seen as a threat. A younger relative is excelling, and suddenly, there’s tension. Not because the rising star did anything wrong—but simply because they grew.

Here’s a better way forward:
1. Don’t compete—learn.
When someone else is thriving, ask what’s working for them. Study their discipline, habits, mindset. Growth should provoke reflection, not resentment.
2. Be secure.
Strong leaders are not afraid of other strong people. In fact, they attract strength. If your leadership depends on keeping others small, it’s not leadership—it’s insecurity.
3. Celebrate others.
Learn to celebrate other people’s wins without feeling diminished. Clapping for others doesn’t silence your own applause; it strengthens it.
4. Rise by rising, not by suppressing.
You don’t need to dim another person’s light for yours to shine. Suppression might delay a person’s progress, but it doesn’t lift you. It exposes fear, not strength.
5. Turn envy into motivation.
Instead of criticising someone’s excellence, let it challenge you. Let it inspire you to do more, learn more, grow more. Use it as fuel, not poison.
Here are two powerful examples—one from the industrialization era and another from sports—that mirror

Pharaoh’s fear-based response to others’ success:
A) Nikola Tesla vs. Thomas Edison (Industrialization Era)
During the late 19th century, as electricity began transforming the world, Nikola Tesla developed alternating current (AC)—a more efficient method of power transmission than Thomas Edison’s direct current (DC).

Instead of acknowledging Tesla’s innovation and adapting, Edison viewed Tesla’s success as a threat to his legacy and business interests. He launched a fierce propaganda campaign known as the “War of Currents”, aimed at discrediting Tesla’s AC by spreading fear and misinformation—even staging public electrocutions of animals to portray AC as dangerous.

Instead of learning from Tesla or collaborating to improve electrical infrastructure, Edison attempted to suppress a rival. Yet AC would eventually power the modern world. Tesla’s success didn’t cause Edison’s failure; Edison’s refusal to adapt did.

B) Lionel Messi and Internal Tensions at FC Barcelona (Sports)
During Messi’s early rise at FC Barcelona, some senior players and internal club politics reportedly expressed concern over his rapid ascent. Despite being a teenager, Messi’s talent began overshadowing veterans. While many teammates supported his growth, others—feeling threatened—pushed back subtly, questioning his maturity or readiness.

Over time, Messi’s brilliance couldn’t be denied. But this tension has been mirrored in many teams, where rising stars are resisted rather than nurtured due to fear of being replaced.
Messi’s rise didn’t mean the veterans had failed; it meant the team had depth. The best teams—and leaders—recognize that empowering talent strengthens the whole, not weakens it.

Conclusion
Pharaoh’s mistake is still repeated by many: they see another’s strength and choose sabotage over self-growth. But you don’t have to go that route. Your path to success is not blocked by someone else’s achievement. The question is not, “How do I bring them down?” but “How do I rise too?” “How can I emulate their growth principles?”
Don’t be a Pharaoh. Be a learner. Be secure. Be excellent.