"Playing on a Different Field"
In life and in business, there’s a price to being exceptional. When you stand out, when your talent or ideas push you to a level above the norm, people notice. Fans will cheer, but competitors? They’ll hack, foul, and do everything they can to knock you off your game.
This dynamic is perfectly captured in the story of Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup performance. Maradona wasn’t just playing soccer—he was playing a different kind of game entirely. His skill, vision, and sheer will made him the focal point of every match. Opponents knew they couldn’t stop Argentina unless they stopped him first. So, they tried. Over and over, they tried.
The Beauty of Playing Through the Hits
Maradona didn’t let the hacks and hits stop him. He expected them. He accepted them. He pushed forward anyway, delivering a performance so extraordinary that it’s etched in history as one of the most beautiful displays of football ever seen.
The lesson here is clear: when you’re playing on a different field—whether it’s in sports, business, or life—the resistance will be fierce. People will try to slow you down, not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re doing something right.
The question is, how will you respond? Will you let the pressure crush you? Or will you, like Maradona, accept the rough play as part of the game and keep moving forward?
Talent vs. Tactics
There’s something poetic about how this dynamic unfolds. The players who fouled Maradona were trying to neutralize brilliance with brute force. But here’s the thing: no one remembers them. Their names are footnotes, their actions reduced to background noise in a masterpiece.
Meanwhile, Maradona’s legacy shines. His perseverance, creativity, and refusal to back down inspire people decades later. Why? Because there’s no glory in hating, hitting, or hacking. True greatness is in creation, in artistry, in pushing limits.
The same applies in business. The critics, the naysayers, and the doubters—there’s nothing special about what they do. Their negativity is a natural byproduct of your success. It’s easy to tear down. But building something beautiful? That’s unforgettable.
Expect the Hits—And Keep Scoring
When you’re striving to be your best, expect resistance. Don’t dread it. Don’t let it make you smaller or more cautious. Instead, lean into it. The hits might hurt, but they’re proof you’re playing at a level that matters.
Take a page from Maradona’s book: keep your eyes on the goal. Stay with the play. Create something so extraordinary that the world remembers your highlights, not the opposition’s fouls.
Because in the end, the field may be rough, but the game is yours to define. Play beautifully, and leave a legacy that no hack can erase.
art work by Mark Lambert