I love to speak to Brad Haddin, Simon Katich. All different

The great Australian batsman Steve Smith, forged in the fires of triumph and trial upon the cricket field, once declared: “I love to speak to Brad Haddin, Simon Katich. All different people. Quality people with opinions I can trust.” Though his words speak of teammates and mentors, they rise to the level of timeless wisdom. For he reveals here the eternal truth: that the strength of a leader, of a warrior, of a human soul, lies not only in his own skill, but in the counsel he chooses to hear. To surround oneself with quality people is to ensure that when storms gather, one does not stand alone.

In naming Haddin and Katich, Smith points to more than names; he points to the importance of trustworthy voices. These men are not flatterers, not sycophants, but comrades who have stood in battle, who know the weight of responsibility, and who speak with honesty. Their worth lies not only in experience but in sincerity, for what value is advice without trust? The world is full of voices, but only a few are opinions one can trust. And in the heat of competition, whether on the cricket field or in the struggles of life, it is these voices that steady the hand and strengthen the spirit.

History echoes this truth. Consider Alexander the Great, whose victories shook the world. He was not alone; he carried with him generals like Parmenion and philosophers like Aristotle, whose counsel sharpened his mind and steadied his rule. Or think of Abraham Lincoln, who during the darkest days of the American Civil War surrounded himself with men of differing opinions, a “team of rivals” whose advice he trusted even when it challenged him. Like Smith, these leaders understood: no man rises to greatness by his own voice alone—he rises by listening to the voices of those he can trust.

Smith’s words also reveal humility. Though he is himself a master of his craft, he confesses the need to listen. This is no small thing, for pride often blinds men to the wisdom of others. But the wise know that seeking counsel is not weakness—it is strength. To trust the opinions of others is to acknowledge that truth does not belong to one mind alone, but is found in the weaving together of many. Thus his quote reminds us that greatness is not solitary; it is communal.

The deeper meaning is this: trust is the foundation of wisdom. Advice may be plentiful, but if it comes from those without integrity, it leads to ruin. Only when one surrounds oneself with those whose character is strong, whose hearts are honest, whose motives are pure, can counsel truly guide. This is why Smith treasures his conversations with men he calls “quality people.” For to him, their words are not just thoughts, but anchors—anchors that keep him steady amid the shifting tides of fame, failure, and pressure.

The lesson for us, children of tomorrow, is luminous: seek out voices of quality in your own life. Do not fill your ears with noise, but with wisdom. Surround yourself with people whose opinions you can trust, who will tell you the truth even when it hurts, who will lift you up when you falter, who will sharpen you when you grow dull. For in the end, we are not only shaped by our choices, but by the counsel we keep.

Practical wisdom must follow. Look at your circle and ask: Do the voices I listen to strengthen me, or weaken me? Do they guide me toward truth, or lead me into shadows? Choose mentors, friends, and companions whose hearts are true and whose words are born of integrity. And when you find such voices, treasure them as jewels, for they are rare and precious.

Thus, remember Steve Smith’s simple but profound confession: to walk with quality people, whose opinions you can trust, is to walk with strength and clarity. Do not walk alone, nor with the untrustworthy, but with those who lift your spirit and guide your steps. For in their counsel lies not only wisdom, but the power to endure, to rise, and to triumph in the game of life itself.