Leadership - Research Paper Example

It is revealed by the writer that they managed to bring their culture along with them to America, which ensured more intimacy among the members, more interaction, good leadership, sharing, and so many other virtues. The introduction is meant to teach the readers the very purpose of the book; to explore the role of opportunities in making someone successful. The writer points out that ‘the Rosetans were cooking with lard instead of with the much healthier olive oil.’ (6). Also, there is the revelation that they consumed more fat, were more obese, and smoked heavily.

Despite all these negative aspects, the people lived a healthier life than other people. The reason, according to the writer, is that the culture allowed people to live healthier by offering better living conditions. Thus, the gist is that when one gets the right opportunities, one becomes successful. The first chapter ‘The Matthew Effect’ is a further exploration of this issue by analyzing the selection to the Major Junior A Hockey. Admittedly, when one sees a hockey player who is successful, one feels that player is successful because of the player’s innate talent and skills. . At the first glance, and even to those who watch closely, it seems that one cannot buy a position in the Major Junior A hockey.

In other words, the impression is that only those who are wiling to work and only those who have ability will manage to get into Major Junior A level. While claiming that there is something not quite right with this conception, Gladwell indicates that our concept of successful people in every sphere of life is marred by a number of erroneous conceptions (10). In fact, I used to possess the view that it is possible for people to grow to any levels through hard work. Admittedly, this view was the result of reading various accounts of celebrities and entrepreneurs achieving great success in their life.

They all love claiming a poor or mediocre beginning, and then reaching the zenith of success through their individual hard work and brilliance. However, rejecting all these claims, the writer points out in ‘Outliers’ that ‘all these kinds of personal explanations of success don’t work’ (Gladwell 11). Instead, the writer points out that all those successful people made advantage of various factors other than their own personal struggle to be successful. In the words of the writer, they are ‘the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot’ (Gladwell 11).

The most attractive part of this chapter, admittedly, is the example of the oak tree (11). He points out that the tallest oak tree in the forest becomes the tallest not only because of its own abilities, but also because of various factors. To illustrate, other trees did not block the