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When I was a kid, teachers used to have us write those papers on nature vs. nurture. It’s crazy because I had to be in the second or third grade.
The big question was always the same: Are we products of our environment? Are products of your own nature?
And me, being the optimistic little kid I was, I would argue, “No, you’re not a product of your environment. You can be great just based on who you are as a person.” It’s wild though, because even back then, I understood my environment wasn’t the best. But I was still determined to believe I could rise above it.
Now, as an adult, I see things a little different. I still believe greatness is in you, but I’ve also learned that your environment plays a bigger role than I wanted to admit. You can be as gifted as you want to be, but if you’re constantly surrounded by the wrong people—even family—it can choke out your potential. It can block you, stifle you, and in some cases, destroy your destiny.
Jesus showed us this. In His own hometown, Scripture says, “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:58). Think about that—His gift didn’t stop working, but the environment shut it down.
Then you see Him with the woman at the well. He shifts her whole perspective, saying, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”(John 4:10). One conversation changed her environment, and it changed her life.
And in that crowd of over five thousand, He took one little boy’s lunch and multiplied it. “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.” (John 6:11). That environment was full of faith and expectation, and look what happened—a miracle.
So yeah… I’ve come to realize environment is detrimental to becoming greater. Maybe the “glass ceiling” isn’t always this invisible wall we talk about. Maybe it’s our circle.
Maybe it’s our refusal to step into new rooms, meet new people, and learn new things. Because sometimes, the only thing standing between where you are and where you’re meant to be—is the environment you keep settling for.
I remember my bishop. He had this massive vision—a church, a campus, programs, things that could change lives. But the truth is, he never got to see that vision fully realized. And I’ll never forget him admitting that he knew he probably wouldn’t finish it. Looking back, I think he already understood why: he didn’t have the right people.
And that’s the thing. A lot of times, when you see people not where they should be, it’s not because they aren’t gifted or they don’t have a dream. It’s because they don’t have the right community. They’ve got folks around them working against them, not for them.
When I was younger, I didn’t believe that. I thought, “Nah, environment doesn’t matter. It’s all about your mindset.” And mindset does matter—it’s powerful. But I’ve learned mindset can only take you so far if you’re planted in the wrong environment.
So then the question becomes: what do you do when the environment you need doesn’t exist? Sometimes, you have to build it. Sometimes, you have to be the one who brings people together.
I used to wonder why companies would fly someone from across the world to fill a position when they could easily find talent locally. Why move someone from one place to another? It seemed unnecessary. But now I get it—it’s not just about skill, it’s about chemistry. It’s about creating the right environment, the right mix of people, so the organization can go where it needs to go.
Because if you don’t have the right people around you, you’re not going far. Period.
There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” But I’d take it a step further—it’s not just “together.” It’s together with the right people.
So if you’re feeling stifled, blocked, or like your life keeps getting cut back… check your environment. Look at the people around you. Ask yourself, How are they adding to me? How are they pushing me closer to where I’m trying to go?
And if you can’t answer that, then maybe it’s time to let some people go. Because your environment can either be the soil that grows you—or the weight that keeps you grounded.
