The thing about A-players.
I started writing this post a while ago and I stopped halfway.
I stopped and I deleted everything.
It didn’t make any sense.
The post was becoming too long and that was the opposite of how I thought the message should be delivered.
The message needs to be delivered clearly and concisely.
This is it:
A-players like to associate with A-players (or potential A-players) and that’s how the world works.
This principle is often unspoken but it’s more common than you think.
The best universities & colleges follow it, banks follow it, the best companies follow it, investors follow it, friend groups follow it and even countries follow it. It’s everywhere!
Whether it is right or wrong, is a topic for an ethics & morals class. Today I’m writing based on facts.
Every top person, organisation or entity has what I call Values Per Time (VPT). It is a formal/informal list of what they consider valuable at a particular time. This includes the values they speak about and those that they don’t.
It’s usually a sign of what that entity classifies as characteristics of an A-player and often what decides if or how much they associate/work with someone or something.
Examples of VPTs are YCombinator’s preference for referred technical, second-time founders with great traction, Oxford’s preference for MBA candidates who have experience working on impact projects, or Drake’s consistent interest in the latest newcomer who is making waves.
It’s just how the world works.
It is how entities decide who they want to work/associate with and it is often based on what they consider measures of potential success.
It’s the only thing they have to judge others by.
If you’re wondering why understanding this is important, I’ll tell you.
- It greatly improves your chances of connecting with people/organisations that can help you achieve your goals.
- It changes how you deal with rejection and allows you to think of a clear path forward.
- It helps you understand the world better and why certain things work in certain ways.
- It forces you to think about what is important to you.
So when next you’re applying for a fellowship, or reaching out to a potential partner, mentor, or investor ask yourself:
Do I clearly understand this person or organisation’s values at this time?
How can I position my skills, strengths & experience in a way that aligns with their VPT?
If I understand their VPT and I don’t fit, where do I fall short?
Am I willing to do what is required to fit their VPT?
What can I do to show that I have the potential to become an A-player?
Undersanding this and doing the required work is how you eventually become an A-player in any field of your interest.
PS: Yes, Yes, I know. There are exceptions to this viewpoint but that’s really all they are; exceptions. This is how the world works most of the time.
Also shout out to my friend, Faith who always helps with editing my articles
