The title of this column is borrowed from one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read: “Seeds of Greatness” by Denis Waitley. But for anyone who had the privilege of knowing Denis, or simply learning from him through his books, audios, or keynote speeches, those three words are far more than a title. They represent a way of life. A code. A calling.
Denis Waitley didn’t just write about greatness, he lived it. He sowed seeds of inspiration, belief, and transformation in millions of lives around the world. Mine included.
A hero who became a friend. I first met Denis in 1999. At that point, I had already been profoundly influenced by his work, especially his landmark audio program, “The Psychology of Winning.” That program opened my mind and heart to the power of attitude, expectation, and self-leadership. It was one of the first personal development recordings I’d ever heard, and to this day, its lessons are still bearing fruit in my life.
So you can imagine my amazement when I not only met the man behind the voice, but was also blessed to travel with him, work with him, and share stages with him. What began as admiration from afar evolved into a personal friendship and a professional relationship I will always cherish.
He stood tall among giants. Mention the legends of the personal development movement — Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, Les Brown, Jim Rohn, Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy, Jim Cathcart, Tony Alessandra, Tony Parinello — and Denis Waitley is right there among them, not just in reputation but in character.
What set Denis apart was his calm, steady presence. He didn’t need to raise his voice to raise the bar. His intelligence was matched only by his integrity. His humility rivaled his eloquence. And his passion? Unmistakable. He wanted nothing more than to see others win, not just in business or sports, but in life.
From Olympians and CEOs to speakers, students, and everyday strivers, Denis was the coach behind the curtain, the mentor who reminded us to see the best in ourselves before the world ever would.
When I think about Denis Waitley, I think about a legacy of personal impact. One of the most meaningful moments I shared with Denis happened at Zig Ziglar’s 80th birthday celebration. It was a beautiful, star-studded evening filled with icons and influencers. Denis could have sat with anyone. He chose to sit with me and my family. That’s who he was, genuinely kind, profoundly present, and always pouring into others.
His teachings weren’t just theories; they were tools. He taught me to live proactively rather than reactively, and that shift alone has reshaped how I face challenges, opportunities, and relationships. He also instilled the importance of “positive self-expectancy,” the belief that the best is not only possible but probable when we align our mindset with our mission. In competitive situations, that belief has been my slight edge more times than I can count.
His final chapters were just as powerful. Even in his later years, Denis remained a fountain of wisdom. He often told me he had so much more he wanted to say and write. So he did. “The New Psychology of Winning” is a masterwork of updated insights for a new generation. And books like “Empires of the Mind” and “The Dragon and the Eagle” added depth and global perspective to his growing body of work.
Each page he wrote carried his voice. Each sentence, a seed.
My encouragement to you starts here. Denis Waitley may have passed from this world recently, but the legacy he leaves behind is bigger than the man himself. It lives in the lives he touched — mine, yours, and the countless others who’ve been transformed by his words. If you want to honor him, don’t just remember him. Read him. Study him. Share his wisdom, not for him, not even for me, but for you.
Because greatness, real greatness, isn’t something we’re born with. It’s something we plant, nurture, and grow. And Denis Waitley left us all with the seeds.
To know more about what I learned from this great man, email me at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we continue to learn from the best, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.