Don’t be a pale imitation of someone else’s success 
As I was listening to the radio the other day, I heard a phrase that quietly echoed in my mind long after the station had moved on: “Don’t be a fake copy of others’ successes.” These words resonated deeply, and I could not help but think about how often we try to emulate others’ achievements without staying true to ourselves.
In professional environments, this mindset appears more often than we admit. We observe others rising through the ranks, gaining recognition or leading high-impact initiatives, and we begin to believe that replicating their style, decisions or behavior is the way forward. But mirroring someone else’s success rarely brings real growth. More often, it leads to confusion, frustration and a silent loss of identity.
When we try to copy others’ paths, we attempt to fit into a mold that was never designed for us. Their approach may have worked in their specific context — with their team, timing and personality — but that does not mean it will work for us. Replicating someone else’s journey without considering our own strengths, weaknesses and passions can create a disconnect between who we are and what we do. Over time, this disconnect turns into dissatisfaction and a lack of purpose.
Imitation also stifles creativity. It limits innovation because we stop exploring original ideas or approaches. We operate within the bounds of someone else’s story, forgetting that growth often begins where imitation ends.
It is like the story of the crow who tried to imitate the pigeon’s walk, only to forget how to walk like a crow. By trying to be someone else, we risk losing our own identity and uniqueness. We may end up as diluted versions of others instead of becoming the fullest version of ourselves. That is a costly mistake. It keeps us from realizing our potential and building on our unique abilities.
Do not waste your energy trying to be someone else. That position is already taken. Focus instead on becoming the leader only ‘you’ can be
In leadership, clarity of identity is not optional. It shapes how we communicate, how we make decisions, how we influence and how we earn trust. People do not follow titles — they follow consistency. They follow those whose actions reflect genuine values and whose presence feels grounded. That kind of presence cannot be faked.
One of the most hidden yet dangerous traps in professional life is mistaking imitation for learning. Learning from others is essential. But copying others without understanding the context behind their actions is not learning — it is mimicry. And mimicry, no matter how well executed, lacks depth. It becomes a performance. Under pressure, that performance eventually collapses because it was never rooted in personal conviction.
Leadership requires more than just execution. It demands alignment between what we believe, what we say and what we do. That alignment does not come from a borrowed strategy or someone else’s template — it has to come from within.
To lead effectively, we must first understand ourselves. We need to ask the questions that truly matter: What do I stand for? What kind of leader do I want to be? How do I define success? How do I want others to experience my leadership? These are not easy questions, but it is in exploring them that we find lasting clarity and direction.
It also means being comfortable with not fitting into every mold. Leadership is not a popularity contest and it is not about collecting approval by following trends. Sometimes, authenticity may feel like the slower path — but over time, it builds trust, credibility and resilience. These are things imitation alone can never provide.
The truth is, there is no universal model of leadership that works for everyone. The best leaders are not those who copy others well — they are the ones who understand themselves deeply and lead from that understanding. They know their strengths and their blind spots. They are not afraid to learn from others, but they shape their decisions based on their own compass, not someone else’s map.
And that is the reminder this phrase ultimately offers us: “Don’t be a fake copy of someone else’s success.” Even if you climb high by copying, the ground you stand on will always feel shaky. You will never fully know whether you reached that point through genuine growth or replication. But when your leadership is built on your values and identity, the success you achieve becomes deeply personal and undeniably real.
Always remember: Leadership is not about acting like the best person in the room. It is about becoming the most honest version of yourself — and allowing that honesty to guide how you lead. Do not waste your energy trying to be someone else. That position is already taken. Focus instead on becoming the leader only “you” can be.
• Firas Abussaud is a petroleum engineering systems specialist with more than 22 years’ experience in the industry.
