Don't Forget Where You Came From

A message to politicians, leaders, or anyone else for that matter.

The above clip is a scene from Rocky III. At this point in the story, Rocky Balboa has just lost to Clubber Lang, and more than that, he’s lost his manager, Mickey.

He’s reeling.

That’s when Apollo Creed steps in and makes him an offer to be his manager for the rematch. But before Rocky can get back in the ring, Apollo tells him something that cuts deeper than the loss, he tells Rocky he’s lost “the eye of the tiger.”

That hunger, that grit, that raw fight that got him to the top? Gone.

Apollo’s solution? Take Rocky back to the beginning. Back to the sweat-stained gym in the old neighborhood. Back to the place where there were no fans, no endorsement deals, no distractions, just hard, grueling work.

It’s powerful stuff. And it got me thinking…

It’s one thing for Rocky to forget where he came from because it’s, of course, a movie. By the way, he finds his way back in the end. No surprise!

But it hits different when you see it in real life. When a family member, a friend, a leader, or a politician forgets where they came from. That’s not fiction. That’s heartbreak.

And I’ve seen it up close. I’ve watched people I once admired become unrecognizable once they got a title, a platform, or a little bit of power. Suddenly, the people who helped them rise no longer matter. The humility is gone. The hunger is gone. And the listening stops altogether.

That’s why I’ve sworn off consulting with politicians unless I really believe in them and/or the paycheck is absurd. And even then, I’ll keep my guard up.

It’s not that I expect these folks to always agree with me or do what I say. That’s not the issue. The issue is when someone becomes so enamored with their own status that they stop listening to the people who got them there in the first place. They forget their roots. And that’s not a good look.

So how do we stay grounded?

Here are five practical ways to make sure we never forget where we came from:

1. Revisit the Roots

Go back, physically, mentally, emotionally, to the place where it all started. The office. The kitchen table. The garage. The street corner. Remind yourself what the early days felt like before the wins and the noise.

2. Listen to the Locals

Make time to talk to the people who knew you before the accolades. They’ll keep you honest. They’ll remind you who you are, not who you’ve been pretending to be.

3. Check the Mirror, Not the Metrics

Success is not just about your numbers. Look yourself in the eye and ask: Am I still the same person? Am I still someone my past self would be proud of?

4. Honor the Helpers

Name them. Call them. Thank them. The people who believed in you when there was nothing to gain—don’t let them become background noise.

5. Keep One Foot in the Basement

No matter how high you climb, stay close to the grind. Do something regularly that’s beneath your title but not beneath your character. Clean up. Show up. Stay accessible.

Because here’s the thing: the higher you go, the easier it is to forget, but forgetting can cost you everything.

So, whether you’re a boxer, a business leader, or just someone trying to keep your head on straight, don’t forget where you came from because you couldn’t have gotten to where you are without it.