Comments on: My Take on Malcolm Gladwell’s New Book "Outliers." http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/ A member of the Gartner Blog Network Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:33:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Anthony Bradley http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Anthony Bradley Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:29:10 +0000 http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/#comment-261 This is a good point Mark. I would say that the Tipping Point scenarios assume a fertile environment for change meaning that the "influenced" are ready for and even desiring change (even if they don't quite realize it). This is critical for success. If the "influenced" are not ready or intransigent then the tipping point will likely never happen. This is a very important point for those engaging in social applications. You can have the best influencers in the world but if they aren't tapping a community need (i.e., pursuing a magnetic purpose) then they just might be talking to a wall. So I would add that community receptivity and a purpose that draws them in are crucial. Influencers are only part of the equation. This is a good point Mark. I would say that the Tipping Point scenarios assume a fertile environment for change meaning that the “influenced” are ready for and even desiring change (even if they don’t quite realize it). This is critical for success. If the “influenced” are not ready or intransigent then the tipping point will likely never happen. This is a very important point for those engaging in social applications. You can have the best influencers in the world but if they aren’t tapping a community need (i.e., pursuing a magnetic purpose) then they just might be talking to a wall.

So I would add that community receptivity and a purpose that draws them in are crucial. Influencers are only part of the equation.

]]> By: Mark Madsen http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/comment-page-1/#comment-259 Mark Madsen Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:36:48 +0000 http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/#comment-259 One comment on Tipping Point. Research since the book shos that Gladwell's emphasis on the influencer has proven to be far less important than the people being influenced. He has an ability to construct great narrative supported by many references, but you have to be careful about going to sources before taking his primary theses at face value. One comment on Tipping Point. Research since the book shos that Gladwell’s emphasis on the influencer has proven to be far less important than the people being influenced. He has an ability to construct great narrative supported by many references, but you have to be careful about going to sources before taking his primary theses at face value.

]]> By: Bruce Robertson http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Bruce Robertson Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:34:52 +0000 http://blogs.gartner.com/anthony_bradley/2008/12/31/my-take-on-malcolm-gladwells-new-book-outliers/#comment-221 I too recommend the book. I immediately got my high school senior daughter to read it -- it shows that many things matter to success, and not to let the appearance of success being based entirely on talent not be countered by the stories of hard work (the 10,000 hours) and opportunity (which really is the luck part). It's not that talent does NOT matter, but it's not the only thing -- and it may not be the most critical thing (as the hockey player story certainly suggests -- that story makes it worth the reading for ANYONE). As a musician, I can myself tell the difference between the 10K musicians I've played with and those short of that mark -- and I play rock and roll (you don't have to be a classical musician to become expert). But, I've met many with those 10,000 hours that are NOT successful even tho they are experts. Success needs both expertise and opportunity. I did enjoy the book, and as with his others, it's an easy read. I finished it on the way home from the Gartner event he spoke at. I too recommend the book.

I immediately got my high school senior daughter to read it — it shows that many things matter to success, and not to let the appearance of success being based entirely on talent not be countered by the stories of hard work (the 10,000 hours) and opportunity (which really is the luck part). It’s not that talent does NOT matter, but it’s not the only thing — and it may not be the most critical thing (as the hockey player story certainly suggests — that story makes it worth the reading for ANYONE).

As a musician, I can myself tell the difference between the 10K musicians I’ve played with and those short of that mark — and I play rock and roll (you don’t have to be a classical musician to become expert). But, I’ve met many with those 10,000 hours that are NOT successful even tho they are experts. Success needs both expertise and opportunity.

I did enjoy the book, and as with his others, it’s an easy read. I finished it on the way home from the Gartner event he spoke at.

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