People are more likely to attribute individual success to skill than luck, even though it’s a combination of the two that leads to excellence.
A study by the University of Warwick found individuals seeking their own success are unlikely to gain much by imitating successful people, because everybody’s circumstances are different.
Instead, it’s better to learn from “second best” performers, who may be genuinely skilled but lack the opportunities provided by good fortune.
The research also suggested reward systems would be more constructive for business and society if they didn’t focus exclusively on top performers.
Read more at University of Warwick