Why were Bill Gates or the Beatles so successful? They were obviously good at what they did – whether that was software programming or playing music – they worked hard, but they were also lucky. They were in the right place at the right time. Malcolm Gladwell explains that your culture, family, friends and even where and when you were born have a profound effect on who you are. It’s not just about how smart you are; an individual cannot be successful in isolation. Gladwell even tells us why some pilots are less likely to crash planes than others.
He explains that most people don’t mind (and often enjoy) working hard, as long as the work is meaningful. For work to be satisfying it needs to be complex and autonomous, with a relationship between effort and reward. The money we make is less important than whether or not the work fulfils us.
Malcolm Gladwell is a great storyteller. In the last chapter he tells a story about his mother and grandmother to explain how chance shaped their lives and therefore his too. This choice of story is an example of good communicating – it’s relevant but also personal, so as a reader you feel like you get to know Gladwell.
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