Creators, innovators, and leaders are a rare breed across every area of life, whether they lead families, businesses, industries, or nations, or create new ways of thinking and being. They are the ones brave enough to hold visions no one else can see and take risks no one else is willing to take. They endure rejection, ridicule, doubt, failure, and uncertainty. They start off ordinary, but the journey of bringing an idea to life shapes them into extraordinary figures in the eyes of everyone else.

Most people prefer to be led rather than face the cost of leading. They prefer to consume rather than create. They avoid the weight of judgment, the possibility of failure, or the vulnerability of being seen. Many would rather remain single than risk heartbreak, and they would rather sit on the side-lines and critique than step onto the stage and be critiqued.

So, it’s no surprise that successful musicians, actors, executives, founders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and religious leaders are adored and idolised. The public stops seeing them as humans and starts seeing them as symbols; embodiments of greatness, success, and perfection. But the dark side of adoration is this: people begin to hold them to standards no human can consistently meet.

“The same people who screamed Hosanna, screamed crucify him later.”
And as Jay-Z said, “The same sword they knight you with, they gon’ goodnight you with… that’s only half if they like you.”

A recent example is the public scrutiny around Tuface Idibia. He has had a legendary career elevating Afrobeats globally since “African Queen.” His music captured the emotions of a generation, and his humility offstage amplified public affection. Tuface never claimed perfection, but extraordinary achievement comes with a double-edged sword: deep admiration on one side, and deep criticism on the other. Now that his marital dispute has gone public, many have responded with harsh judgment, forgetting his humanity and focusing only on the cracks in the image they once idolised.

When the public buys into your vision and elevates you, they often believe they are co-owners of your identity. Anything that “taints” that identity feels like a personal betrayal and it invites backlash.

Five Things I Would Remind Tuface and Every Leader, Creator, and Public Figure

1. People don’t see you anymore they see the idea you represent.

Once you succeed, people stop seeing the human behind the vision. They judge you based on what they believe your symbolic identity should be, not based on your lived reality.

2. They hold you to higher standards than they hold themselves.

The moment you become their representation of greatness, they expect impossibility from you, even when they fail at the basics themselves.

3. Never forget your humanity, even when the world does.

You are allowed to make mistakes. You are allowed to grow. Do not adopt the world’s perfectionistic expectations as your internal standard.

4. Practice emotional detachment.

When they idolize or condemn you, remember: they are reacting to the public figure, not the human being. They know Tuface the artist not Innocent the person.

5. Always return to your WHY.

Before the world celebrated you, you were doing this for yourself. For your vision. For your passion. For your validation of your own dreams. Let that be your anchor when the noise becomes overwhelming.

Becoming someone who normalises greatness comes with a cost: heavy adoration and heavy judgment. When the judgment arrives (as it often does), these five principles become necessary armour.

Finally, leaders and public figures must surround themselves with people who see their humanity. People who respect their journey but don’t worship them. People who offer space for growth without scrutiny. They could be friends, family members, or sometimes professionals like therapists and coaches.

To the leaders and public figures reading this:

How do you remain grounded in your humanity while carrying the weight of the world’s expectations?

High performance is rewarding but it can also feel isolating.

With 1-on-1 Coaching, I’ll help you navigate the challenges, build confidence, and transform pressure into progress. Together, we’ll ensure your skills, decisions, and leadership impact last — without burning you out.

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