144. The Thief of Joy Isn’t Comparison—It’s This

Most of us know—at least logically—that no one is truly “better” than anyone else. And yet… we still find ourselves fighting along that invisible greater-than/less-than axis. One moment, we quietly believe we’re just a little ahead of someone else. The next, we feel we’re far behind another. This constant up-and-down comparison fuels two toxic states: envy, when we believe others are “better,” and shame, when we believe we’re “worse.” Here’s the problem: there is no universal standard for greatness. Since no one can agree, it can’t be a true measure of worth—yet we still use it as one. And when we do, we slow our own progress. When we compare in envy, we convince ourselves others are more talented, more wealthy, more healthy, more followed… and in that belief, we rob ourselves of the chance to grow. When we compare in judgment, we lock ourselves into a lens that looks for proof we’re “right” about being ahead—fueling conflict and separation. In either direction—up or down—the needle doesn’t move forward. But when we flip the axis from better/worse to growth/expansion, everything changes. In this episode, Leah unpacks the Hierarchy of Greatness, why the vertical model keeps us stuck, and how flipping it unlocks your truest potential—both in life and in leadership.