[josgraha]

In my opinion the most important skill is philosophy, I think someone once asked "To be X or !X?" Without philosophy we have nothing, no science or math. If greatness is doing the best we possibly can at everything we do then that's "great" for us personally but does it make other's lives great as well? It is one thing to be of the highest possible skill level, or in other words "great", at something like programming but what if your goal is to make everyone who touches your work from testers to line managers live's easier? Wouldn't you be perceived as "great" regardless of your skills as a programmer? Will Smith seems like such a great guy his energy just radiates from everything he says and does and his work ethic is also inspiring. But a performing artist's role is probably more altruistic than someone in a technical role where the altruistic outcomes are less obvious. Start with philosophy my friends.