Respect the way others express drive, faith, and focus
“You don’t have to be outwardly excited to be internally combustible.”
That statement by Michael Strahan about his former teammate Eli Manning speaks volumes about understanding people and the many ways greatness can show up.
Strahan, known for his passion and energy, was the heartbeat of his team’s defense. His intensity inspired those around him. But when he looked across the locker room, he saw Eli Manning: calm, soft-spoken, and seemingly unaffected by the chaos of the moment. Yet, when the lights came on and the game was on the line, Eli’s quiet confidence burned just as hot as Strahan’s fiery enthusiasm.
The beauty of that contrast is the lesson it teaches: not everyone needs to show their fire for it to be real. Some people express passion loudly, others silently. What matters is not the style, but the substance. We often fall into the trap of assuming that the louder person is the more motivated one, or that the quiet person doesn’t care as much. But that’s far from the truth.
True leadership recognizes that every person has a different rhythm. Some need to yell, clap, and jump to get ready. Others find strength in focus, stillness, and composure. When we expect others to mirror our own energy, we limit their ability to operate in their own excellence. Eli Manning didn’t need to scream to prove he was ready, his actions spoke for him when the game was on the line.
In life, whether on a team, in a family, or at work, it’s important to give people space to be who they are. Passion has many faces. Confidence doesn’t always roar. It sometimes whispers with steady eyes and calm hands.
The takeaway from Strahan’s words is simple yet powerful: let people be. Respect the different ways others express drive, faith, and focus. The quiet one may be the one who saves the day when the moment calls for courage and clarity.
At the end of the day, fire doesn’t always need to be seen to be felt. Some hearts burn quietly, but they still set the world on fire.