A friend of mine recently gave me a great reminder that my character matters far more than my talent. The illustration of the Iceberg reminds us that the most visible part (10%) above the surface of the water comprises our talents, our skills, our behaviors, priorities and actions. What lies beneath the surface (90%) comprises our character. And the 90% is what sinks the ship.
In other words, I can focus a great deal on my talent… the 10% that everyone sees. And I can make it look really good. Why? Because that tends to be where society's magnifying glass is focused.
Yet the 90%… my relationships with God, my wife, my kids, my co-workers… can go unattended for a while before it becomes obvious. And yet it’s the demise of these relationships that will sink my ship.