The Elements of Success
Analysing countless success stories, often of the riveting rags-to-riches kind, Gladwell repeatedly points out the common twin threads of opportunity and legacy. Opportunity, he argues, can arise from a series of circumstances, such as Bill Gates’ serendipitous access to a computer, programming time and techy business connections long before these became common. Legacy, conversely, can result from worldview ingrained into a society by its long-standing mode of life. As an example he suggests that the precision and diligence necessitated by rice farming has led East Asian nations to prominence in science and technology.
The Talent Myth?
In addition, hard work certainly is a factor, which Gladwell stresses with reference to the 10 000 hour rule identified by Ericsson (1996). Talent? Well, not so much. In fact, two chapters are devoted to The Trouble with Geniuses, reassuring us lesser mortals that an average intelligence may actually be an asset if coupled with good, old-fashioned common sense. There is an echo here of Colvin’s Talent is Overrated (2008), which extols the value of deliberate practise over innate ability.
The Implication
The striking implication of Outliers is not that if there are consistent preconditions to success, the game is rigged. The striking implication is that the game CAN be rigged to create the preconditions for success - for individuals, communities and ultimately, humanity.
The Critics
In my mother tongue we say that the highest trees catch the most wind – achievers are subject to fierce criticism. As John Horgan pointed out in Slate magazine, Malcolm Gladwell is, himself, an outlier, and hence a “high tree”. In this respect, some commentators noted a strong autobiographical note to the book (even beyond the final, deeply personal chapter). Outliers has justifiably been attacked for less than meticulous logic and accuracy. Yet it is perhaps no coincidence that this is largely by writers who do not match its eleven weeks’ reign atop the New York Times bestseller list. The book-buying public clearly agreed with the chorus of enthusiastic critics who found Outliers so “thought-provoking”, “provocative” and “worth pondering”. As a member of the public who rarely buys a non-virtual book, my purchase speaks volumes.
References
Colvin, G. (2008). Talent is overrated: What really separates world-class performers from everybody else. London: Nicholas Brealy.
Ericsson, K.A. (1996). The road to excellence: the acquisition of expertise in the arts and sciences, sports and games. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
