The Hidden Power of Mediocrity: Why Most People Never Excel (And How You Can!)

How to Turn the Ordinary into Your Greatest Opportunity

Walk into any office, and you’ll see it: most people do what’s required, but little more. The 80-20 rule—where 20% of people create 80% of the value—shows up everywhere, from sales teams to tech startups. David Kronfeld’s Remarkable doesn’t just accept this; it celebrates it. Mediocrity, he argues, is your secret weapon. If most are content with average, the bar for excellence is lower than you think.



But how do you rise above? First, by noticing what others ignore—gaps in process, missed opportunities, unasked questions. Kronfeld shares stories of professionals who quietly solved problems no one else saw, earning trust and responsibility. Second, by avoiding the big mistakes that can overshadow years of good work. The book cautions: one major error can set you back more than many small successes can help.

Most importantly, the path to excellence is open to anyone willing to practice insightfulness and resilience. You don’t need to be a genius—just a little more curious, a little more persistent, and a lot more willing to learn.

This blog offers practical steps for identifying where you can add unique value, and how to build habits that set you apart. In a world full of average, the extraordinary is simply the result of consistent, thoughtful action.