Over the holidays I read Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers. It’s an interesting thesis on why people are successful. He provides evidence that talent doesn’t exist – it is instead the accumulation of 10,000 hours. That success follows a predictable course, whereby the brightest don’t necessarily succeed, but those who have the opportunities, the presence of mind to pursue them, and the timing. He thinks it is an accumulation of advantages.
In a way it is almost a depressing thesis, should we want magic bullets! But in reality I think he discounts determination – something I think it of utmost importance. Fire in the belly.. grh.
I guess another way of looking at it is how to define success. Successful people may not think they are successful. You just have to read this article about Victoria Pendleton, how she “just wants to be good at something.” [note - she is currently the Olympic sprint champion... but still wants to be good at something]. I’ve published a book, have a masters degree, have my own business, blah blah blah, but I do not perceive I have achieved success, no way.
I do like what Gladwell says about the three things that keep people in jobs:
1. Autonomy
2. Complexity
3. Connection between effort and reward
I particularly like number [3]
