Malcolm Gladwell (born September 3, 1963) is an English-born Canadian journalist, author, and speaker. Gladwell was not the brightest student, his grades were not high enough for him to graduate school, so he decided to pursue a career in advertising instead. He has been rejected from many agencies, but was finally accepted as a journalist at The American Spectator.
In his work, Gladwell seeks to combine interesting stories with interesting research. He is the author of 5 memorable books, some of them -- like Blink or Outliers -- being often quoted among the best non-fiction books on the shelf. I personally haven’t had the chance to read any of them, but I do have a personal favorite article - “The Talent Myth” – a research paper that explores incorrectly used managerial and administrative techniques. Malcom Gladwell says that inexperienced employees are promoted too soon, while the experienced ones don’t get the chance to rise. He also thinks that narcissists are more likely to climb the ladder, and they turn out to be the worst leaders. No need to explain why.
Here are 18 Malcolm Gladwell quotes to help you get rid of the fear of making a fool of yourself and rethink the path to success. Take a peek into the mind of a man of great achievements.
The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter.
Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.
We have, as human beings, a storytelling problem. We're a bit too quick to come up with explanations for things we don't really have an explanation for.
Who we are cannot be separated from where we're from.
Those three things - autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward - are, most people will agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.
If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.
Achievement is talent plus preparation.
Insight is not a light bulb that goes off inside our heads. It is a flickering candle that can easily be snuffed out.
To be someone's best friend requires a minimum investment of time. More than that, though, it takes emotional energy. Caring about someone deeply is exhausting.
It would be interesting to find out what goes on in that moment when someone looks at you and draws all sorts of conclusions.
Emotion is contagious.
Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.
In the act of tearing something apart, you lose its meaning.
There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.
The older I get, the more I understand that the only way to say valuable things is to lose your fear of being correct.
We don't know where our first impressions come from or precisely what they mean, so we don't always appreciate their fragility.
Consistency is the most overrated of all human virtues... I'm someone who changes his mind all the time.
We aren't, as human beings, very good at acting in our best interest.
I try to be unafraid of making a fool of myself.
And a bonus one, to wrap things up in a very Malcolm Gladwell way:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.