Average is a myth, so why should it control our lives? We measure ourselves -- and others -- against averages all the time. Think GPAs, personality tests, standardized test results, performance review ratings. These are average measures that tell us little about what makes us unique. And this is not just a feel-good argument. It is a mathematical fact.

In his bestselling book, The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness, researcher, professor, and president of The Center for Individual Opportunity at Harvard, Todd Rose, explains the history of average and how it became so embedded in our culture. He goes on to explain why now, more than ever, we need to move beyond its impact on our schools and our workplaces.

In this interview, we talk about:

How the concept of average has done us more harm than good
The courage of a brilliant scientist to question average for the greater good
What newborns and chubby thighs can teach us about the limitations of average
How innovative organizations are tapping into the wisdom of jaggedness for hiring
Why organizations are relying on CodeFu to find great programming talent
Why the personality test industry is bigger than ever and more bankrupt
Why personality traits are context dependent, not inherent or static
Why unlocking the context of behavior can be game changing in helping kids
The important connection between environment and self control
Why faster does not equal smarter
Why we need to get rid of fixed-pace learning in schools
Thoughts on competency-based versus grade-based learning
Shifting from diplomas to micro-based credentials
Giving individuals more say in their learning pathways
What Todd Rose thinks about personalized learning and personalization
Why we need to keep equity at the forefront
What dark horses may have to teach us

Episode Links

@ltoddrose

http://www.toddrose.com/

The Center for Individual Opportunity

Adolphe Quetelet

Francis Galton

Edward Thorndike

Peter Molenaar

Esther Thelen and her study on newborn stepping reflex

IGN

CodeFu

CM 047: Todd Rose on the Myth of Average

Curious Minds at Work