The most important single ingredient in the formula of success

Theodore Roosevelt, a man of boundless energy and unshakable will, once declared: “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” These words, forged in the fire of both political struggle and personal trial, shine with timeless clarity. They teach us that true greatness is not born in isolation, nor is it won by brute strength or sheer intellect alone. Rather, it is secured by the ability to walk with others, to speak with them, to work alongside them in harmony. The road to success is not paved by the lone traveler, but by many feet walking together.

To speak of getting along with people is to speak of the very fabric of civilization. A man may possess brilliance, courage, and vision, but if he cannot inspire trust or earn goodwill, his victories will crumble like sand. The emperor who rules with cruelty soon finds himself alone; the leader who scorns his people discovers rebellion at his gates. Even the craftsman or scholar, working quietly in his corner, must rely upon the respect of others if his work is to endure. The power of human connection is the mortar that binds the stones of achievement.

Roosevelt himself embodied this truth. As President of the United States, he was famed not only for his bold policies and unyielding spirit but for his ability to bring adversaries to the table. When great corporations threatened the people with unchecked power, he confronted them not as an enemy to destroy but as an opponent to discipline—firmly, yet with fairness. And when nations trembled on the brink of war, it was Roosevelt who brokered peace between Russia and Japan, earning the Nobel Prize. His strength did not lie only in force, but in the wisdom to get along with people, even those who seemed beyond reconciliation.

History offers us other vivid lessons. Abraham Lincoln, another titan of leadership, filled his cabinet with rivals—men who had once opposed him bitterly. Yet he harnessed their talents, soothed their pride, and turned their discord into unity. This required patience, humility, and a willingness to honor even those who resisted him. In so doing, he preserved the Union through its darkest hour. Such stories reveal that success is not merely the fruit of individual genius but of collective cooperation, guided by the skill of one who knows how to touch hearts and calm tempers.

The meaning of Roosevelt’s words is thus both practical and profound. To get along with people is not to flatter or submit, but to understand, to respect, and to find common ground. It requires listening as much as speaking, patience as much as action. It is the art of recognizing the humanity in others, even when you disagree, and building bridges where others would dig trenches. This is no small task—it demands wisdom, courage, and often sacrifice. Yet without it, all other efforts are in vain.

For those who live in this present age, where division is loud and pride runs high, Roosevelt’s wisdom is a lamp. If you would succeed—in business, in friendship, in family, in the great endeavors of your life—learn first the art of getting along with people. Practical steps follow naturally: listen before you answer, seek first to understand, speak with respect even when anger rises, and never forget that every man and woman you meet bears a soul as precious as your own.

The lesson is clear: wealth fades, power shifts, knowledge evolves, but the ability to work with others endures as the cornerstone of all lasting success. Remember this, and you will walk in strength. Forget it, and even your greatest victories will turn hollow. As Roosevelt taught, the greatest ingredient of triumph is not strength of body, nor brilliance of mind, but the wisdom of the heart that knows how to bind itself to others. For it is together, and not alone, that humanity climbs its highest peaks.