Language Points 5 In writing his book, simonton combined historical knowledge about great figures with recent findings in genetics, psychiatry and the social sciences. The great figures he focused on include men and women who have won Nobel Prizes, led great nations or won wars, composed symphonies that have endured for centuries, or revolutionized science, philosophy, politics or the arts. Though he doesn't have a formula to define how or why certain people rise above(too many factors are involved), he has come up with a few common characteristics
5 In writing his book, Simonton combined historical knowledge about great figures with recent findings in genetics, psychiatry and the social sciences. The great figures he focused on include men and women who have won Nobel Prizes, led great nations or won wars, composed symphonies that have endured for centuries, or revolutionized science, philosophy, politics or the arts. Though he doesn’t have a formula to define how or why certain people rise above (too many factors are involved), he has come up with a few common characteristics. Language Points
Language Points 6 A"never surrender"attitude. If great achievers share anything said Simonton, it is an unrelenting drive to succeed. There's a tendency to think that they are endowed with something super- normal, he explained. "But what comes out of the research is that there are great people who have no amazing intellectual processes It's a difference in degree. greatness is built upon tremendous amounts of study, practice and devotion
6 A “never surrender” attitude. If great achievers share anything, said Simonton, it is an unrelenting drive to succeed. “There’s a tendency to think that they are endowed with something supernormal,” he explained. “But what comes out of the research is that there are great people who have no amazing intellectual processes. It’s a difference in degree. Greatness is built upon tremendous amounts of study, practice and devotion.” Language Points
Language Points 7 He cited Winston Churchill, Britain's prime minister during World War I, as an example of a risk-taker who would never give up Thrust into office when his country's morale was at its lowest Churchill rose brilliantly to lead the british people. In a speech following the Allied evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940, he inspired the nation when he said, " We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end We shall never surrender
7 He cited Winston Churchill, Britain’s prime minister during World War II, as an example of a risk-taker who would never give up. Thrust into office when his country’s morale was at its lowest, Churchill rose brilliantly to lead the British people. In a speech following the Allied evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940, he inspired the nation when he said, “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end...We shall never surrender.” Language Points
Language Points 8 Can you be born great? In looking at Churchill's role in history - as well as the roles of other political and military leaders- Simonton discovered a striking pattern: "Firstborns and only children tend to make good leaders in time of crisis: They're used to taking charge But middle-borns are better as peacetime leaders: They listen to different interest groups better and make the necessary compromises. Churchill, an only child, was typical. He was great in a crisis but in peacetime he was not effective not even popular
8 Can you be born great? In looking at Churchill’s role in history — as well as the roles of other political and military leaders — Simonton discovered a striking pattern: “Firstborns and only children tend to make good leaders in time of crisis: They’re used to taking charge. But middle-borns are better as peacetime leaders: They listen to different interest groups better and make the necessary compromises. Churchill, an only child, was typical. He was great in a crisis, but in peacetime he was not effective — not even popular.” Language Points
Language Points 9 Timing is another factor. "If you took George Washington and put him in the 20th century he would go nowhere as a politician, Simonton declared. "He was not an effective public speaker, and he didnt like shaking hands with the public. On the other hand, Im not sure Franklin roosevelt would have done well in Washingtons time He wouldn't have had the radio to do his fireside chats
9 Timing is another factor. “If you took George Washington and put him in the 20th century he would go nowhere as a politician,” Simonton declared. “He was not an effective public speaker, and he didn’t like shaking hands with the public. On the other hand, I’m not sure Franklin Roosevelt would have done well in Washington’s time. He wouldn’t have had the radio to do his fireside chats.” Language Points