Outliers: Nature or Nurture

I wasn't a fan of Malcolm Gladwell's second effort, Blink, because I didn't think that Gladwell really explained what he set out to do. However, in Outliers: The Story of Success, Gladwell gives us some concrete ideas and examples that are relevant in a society that worships superstars or, as Gladwell calls them, outliers.

Before we get to the interesting concepts, I will say that my big criticism of the book is that it's another one of these "single concept" books that you can read in a morning (as I did . . . stuck at an indoor waterpark with three 8-year-old boys). Will it change your business plan? No. Will you become an outlier? Unfortunately, it may be too late for that.

Nevertheless, you will find some "aha" moments that might explain a lot. For example, while I knew intuitively that birth order had a bit to do with sports success, it was shocking to see how most pro hockey players were born in January/February/March. Why? Because many junior hockey leagues have cutoff dates of Jan. 1. This means that players born at the beginning of the year are competing against less "mature" kids. They are bigger, stronger, get picked for the elite leagues and benefit from better coaching, more training and competitive opportunities for the next few years.

But it doesn't stop there.

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Comments

[Dan Erwin, PhD]

Outliers may not be immediately helpful as a business resource, such as Tipping Point. However, it is a reminder for parents--or for that matter, grandparents--who have the wherewithal to support children in exposure to a rich environment. Significantly, the research in brainscience indicates that enrichment is far more important to achievement and growth than one's DNA. Grandkids who readily head off not only to sports settings, but also to books, museums, different geographies, art institutes, musical experiences--and meet people of many different cultures and vocations--will be significantly ahead in their future.

[Diane K. Danielson]

@Dan - Great point. I think my parents dragging me all over Europe as a child definitely opened my eyes even back then, and had a huge effect on my current views of the world. This summer I took my 14 year old nephew with me and my son to France to visit my parents and you could just see how eye-opening it was for him. So whatever it is, music, art, travel, sports, etc. the more exposure the better. Unfortunately, this is something that not all of our population is able to provide for their kids and grandkids. And it's a shame that enrichment programs are the first to be cut from the schools. I'm hoping this is something the new administration will look at.