How can we explain the extraordinary success of some individuals in our world? Is it our DNA, wealth, parental influence, or IQ? Is there a formula? Is there something we can do to give more people that opportunity to be intellectual, athletic or entertaining heros?
Malcolm Gladwell in his book, The Outliers, looks at a number of factors that contributed to the extreme success of people in a variety of areas. Is there something that Bill Gates had that we didn’t? Why does the birthdate of hockey players a factor in success? We test IQ so are our intellectuals gifted with high IQ’s?
I felt like he was just scratching on a topic that may have much greater research in the future. He made me think about how something like success is due to some common threads and factors. But, it is not that easy to spot a definite contributing factor in success.. there is still some mystery or luck of the draw involved.
I found it interesting the impact on our world that people born in the same decade have had. So, I was gifted with parents that gave me opportunity and education. Why am I not like some of my peers with wild success?
Malcolm Gladwell also wrote the books Tipping Point and Blink. This joins them on my bookshelf as books that make me stop and think about the way people, products, marketing, and media influence our lives and decisions.
