Advantages

“We have, I think, a very rigid and limited definition of what an advantage is.”

–     Malcolm Gladwell, in his new book, “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and The Art of Battling Giants”

“We think of things as helpful that actually aren’t and think of other things as unhelpful that in reality leave us stronger and wiser,” he goes on.

This is a truly great book — and not just because Gladwell wrote it.  It’s his typical heapin’ helpin’ of incredibly well researched positions, but more, perhaps even than Blink or Outliers, he changes the way we look at the execution of our callings.

Blink helped us understand our instincts and helped us honor them.  Outliers helped us understand how to differentiate and why some people stand out in their chosen field from others.

David and Goliath changes the way we engage.

Early in chapter one, we learn that David wasn’t the underdog.  No.  He became the favorite the minute he picked up those five smooth stones.  He changed the game to one in which Goliath had no chance.

If you’re not the leader — the “giant,” you’ve got to change the game, just as Ries and Trout pointed out 27 years ago in Marketing Warfare.  Gladwell shows us how — and gives us powerful and compelling examples in this book — and the Daily Difference will highlight some of those lessons this week.