Book Smart

We usually attribute success, and particularly extraordinary success, to a combination of talent and hard work.  Whether we’re talking about the CEO of a computer company, an NBA star, or a wealthy lawyer, the story we usually tell ourselves is about a healthy dose of natural talent and a tremendous work ethic that enabled someone to work their way to the top.

According to Malcolm Gladwell, this version of the story is incomplete.  Though factors such as talent and effort do play a role, in Outliers Gladwell makes the case that circumstance, timing, and culture (in other words, outside factors) play a much more significant role in enabling people to succeed than we are usually comfortable admitting.  Gladwell demonstrates his case by telling several stories, including those of Bill Gates, The Beatles, Canadian youth hockey, and Korean pilots.  Each time, he shows that there is more going on than the version of events we usually think of.

Gladwell’s Outliers would be a good choice for readers interested in how success works, and why certain people become successful, as well as those who want a different take on the story of cultural heroes.