In one conclusive study, a group of 100 adults were asked if their driving skills were below average, average or above average. Nearly 80% of the adults responded above average.

This study mirrors hundreds and thousands just like it. As a driver we know first hand that 80% of adult drivers are not above average.

The point is that most people think they are above average in everything they do. But that is impossible since the law of averages would be unfounded and it never will be. In any group, there is an average (median) where half the group is above and half the group is below.

Schools and colleges understand the law of averages when it comes to scoring exams. Sometime teachers/professors curve the averages or else more than half the class would fail. And we surely notice at graduation only a mere percentage are wearing special caps and gowns.

All of which brings me to my point that people do the damnest things. “The grass is greener on the other side” is an expression that is more true than not. People think that what other people do is easy, simple and no big deal. They think they can do it better and faster. Consequently, people move from one field to another only to fail miserly not understanding why. That is because they don’t know about the law of averages and they are not above average in everything they do.

Personal, family and business relationships all run into this on a daily basis. Carnival games play off this mentality by making their games look easy with big stuffed animals given away to the suckers. Above average people think they can sink the basketball or get the ring around the Coke bottles. Carnies know better.

Families test this law out each and every holiday when they get together. Invariably there are games, contests, and/or statements that are made that others disagree with or will compete against to make a point. No wonder there are more heated times at family events than good times.

And in business, the same is true. There are those that think I come into work each day, sit at my desk, stare at my computer, make a few calls, email and then go home. They think there is nothing to running a business and they can do it themselves and do it better.

Hey, I got nothing wrong with that thinking. Who knows how many people have left Google to start their own businesses. But in the world where law of averages always wins and small-minded people think they are above average, those people always lose. And lose hard.

What makes a great company isn’t the CEO/founder, it’s the people. When you have the best people, it doesn’t matter who leaves the company, there is always someone or some team to step in to get the job done. I have always said that if the President dropped dead at 3:00PM, Washington D.C. restaurants would still be packed at 6:00PM with people sipping martinis and eating steaks. The world goes on with or without you.

Luckily, the law of averages works at TNG. Most people leave on good terms, give two weeks or more notice, and move on to the next part of their life. That’s the way it should be. We respect that. But it’s those few that think the law of averages doesn’t apply to them and step out without respect and think the world owes them something.

Truth it, no one is owed anything.

Happy Tuesday!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 8:32 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.