Recently, I had the opportunity to read Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, Outliers. The man is indeed brilliant; you’ve gotta’ love his eye for details and his research is phenomenal. However, I think that – like most of us – he comes to conclusions based on an already-established belief system. In other words, he sees the world in a certain way and tends to interpret his evidence to support that world-view.
I notice I have a tendency to do the same thing. This is one reason why it’s so important that we not only check our own premises (to keep ourselves from doing this as much as humanly possible) but that – before we accept the ideas of someone else just because they speak in front of lots of people and write books – we check their premises, as well. Learn their worldview first and you’ll see how much it encompasses and affects their entire message.
Yes, I’m including not just Mr. Gladwell, but everyone with a platform – including me – in the above statement. While I’m pointing my index finger outward, I’m pointing three others fingers back at myself (my thumb simply won’t bend that far backwards). 🙂
Actually, apparently Confucius realized this about himself, as well because one of his most famous quotes warns us not to blindly accept the teachings of anyone…including his.
So, what was Mr. Gladwell’s basic conclusion that, to me, seemed to be a stretch to connect his research with his pre-conceived worldview? It was that – in terms of accomplishment – luck is more important to success than the individual himself or herself. In other words, that without a very unique set of circumstances, including year of birth, place of birth, one’s parents, culture, state of technology, etc., outliers (basically, those individuals who have accomplished extraordinary success) wouldn’t necessarily be as successful as they are.
Well, literally, I would imagine that’s true. We are what we are in part because of all those things. However, that’s also what is known as a “straw man.” There is truth within it, but it’s not the entire story. We all have free will to work within the context of our external factors and succeed or not succeed both because of them and in spite of them.
However, Mr. Gladwell’s conclusions, in large part, say to the reader, “If you haven’t accomplished great things, don’t take it personally; it’s not you; you simply didn’t have the “luck” that these people had.
And, it’s easy to see that this, indeed, is the author’s world-view. Of course, mine being different, I would reach a different conclusion.
Regardless of how much ‘the hand we’re dealt’ actually affects our outcome, what I can say with 100% certainty is that belief in that message of predestined limitations does not serve anyone well. In fact, every day, people are rising above the crowd, rising above the very level that Mr. Gladwell would say is their destiny.
They are only able to do this because they don’t hold to Mr. Gladwell’s beliefs or conclusions. Rather than focusing on (and using as an excuse) the “norm” of the masses, they believe in the power of the individual and in self-determination. Ironically, the more individuals catch on to that way of thinking, the less the “norm” will be the…”the norm”
In Part Two, we’ll see how this ties in to the title of this article and that – in my opinion – Winner’s Win…in pretty much any situation you put them.
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* None of the above is meant to imply that the author didn’t have some absolutely brilliant points. In fact, his first chapter, about the birth month of Canadian Hockey Players and the results is eye-opening and – in my opinion – pretty much indisputable. I highly recommend the book as it will definitely get you thinking. Just be aware of the author’s world-view while reading and don’t accept conclusions without asking “why?”
The same goes for when you read my books and articles, just like this one. Or…even the writings of Confucius. Hey, he even said so. 🙂
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Yes, Bob – great points! I guess the bottom line for me is to THINK before we opine or blindly regurgitate information. What resonates with my core? What do I really believe for ME? As Bob Proctor, one of my wise mentors, keeps reminding me: “If most people said what they were thinking, they would be speechless” because very few people think.
So thanks for reminding me to THINK today! (And I also loved Outliers!)
Thank you, Jodee!! 🙂
Hi Bob~~
Loved this post! According to Mr. Gladwell’s “World View”~~if your birth circumstances weren’t written on the stars, the moon and several planets~in perfect alignment, then one is just bound for “mediocrity” or worse! Hmmmm…interesting! That truly puts folks in boxes with labels and leaves no room/opportunity for change! (I’m just commenting on what you have written & those thoughts, as I have not read Mr. Gladwell’s book) His world views and mine are SO opposite. I am such a strong believer in the power of the human spirit to do what most folks say is IMPOSSIBLE!
If given the opportunity (that’s a BIG thing), most folks SUCCEED and rise above mediocrity! Who wouldn’t want TO BE…The BEST?? It feels GOOD, period! It’s what the “American Dream” or part of it, is all about. (That and serving/helping others…aka “The Go-Giver”)
Ok…I should stop now…I’m getting carried away and could write much more!!!!
YOU ROCK, Bob! Thanks for your insight…looking forward to Part II.
~Deb~
Hi Deb. Interesting thing is that it’s a fascinating book with many excellent examples. He’s an amazing thinker. It’s just that his belief system/world view (one with which I disagree) comes right through, and does so throughout the book. It’s really a good lesson in “critical reading”; i.e., staying very conscious throughout text. I’d imagine that – unfortunately – a lot of people read his book and automatically agreed with his stated conclusions; that success has much more to do with luck than it does with anything else.
On the other hand, my thoughts about his book certainly result from *my* world view. So, taking my feelings about his conclusion at face value is probably no healthier for someone than taking Mr. Gladwell’s conclusions at face value. I strongly suggest reading his book; both because it is filled with fascinating information, and so that one can arrive at their own conclusion based on his writings; not on what I write about his writings.
My suspicion though is that – since it’s pretty obvious that you and I share similar beliefs about success – you’ll probably be in agreement with me. Then again, that might just be my world view talking. 🙂 Thanks, Deb; YOU rock! 🙂
This one has me thinking hard about my own observations about myself, my family, the people I grew up around, and groups of people in different settings in general.
I was told “you cannot do that Jennifer”, or “that’s not likely to happen for you” quite often by my own parents. “Don’t dream too big or you’ll get disappointed”. These words were said in loving concern by them both. However, rather than holding me back as is the case with some of my siblings, it spurred me on in my youth just to prove them wrong–and I did.
I quote Pindar from the Go-Giver often to others, mostly to myself. “You cannot always have what you want, but you can have what you expect.”
I’m glad that I chose not to expect what my family lovingly wanted me to expect.
One cannot control what has happened in the past, especially if victimization occurred as in many cultures. Once a person, whether in early childhood or young adulthood, or even in mid-life or old age, DECIDES to expect and pursue more … nothing becomes impossible. At least that is holding true for me.
Hey Bob, tell Mr. Pindar his brilliance is changing lives!
Gratefully yours,
Jennifer
Hi Bob,
So glad you got a chance to read the Outliers, I remember when I was reading it! He does offer intriguing information. I especially appreciated his mention that those who succeed have to work hard- (I think he uses “practice”) and really put in the hours to succeed. If I remember correctly his examples were of 10,000 hours. Glad you could glean some good information from his book. You have a great ability of being able to pull outs what true for you. That’s what I try to do too 🙂