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Remarkably few individuals stand out as exceptionally skilled or talented: figures suggest it's roughly one in every 100,000 people.

Despite our considerations of uniqueness, statistics suggest that individual exceptionalism is an uncommon occurrence – yourself included, along with those in your circle.

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3 min read
In reality, most of us share a common statistical normality, with few meeting the criteria of being...
In reality, most of us share a common statistical normality, with few meeting the criteria of being exceptional; this extends to the people in your inner circle as well.

Remarkably few individuals stand out as exceptionally skilled or talented: figures suggest it's roughly one in every 100,000 people.

Living in an era that prizes excellence, we're bombarded with messages about unicorn hires, the importance of grit, and the need to stand out. But let's face it - all this talk is nothing more than hot air. The truth is hidden behind some harsh mathematical realities: truly exceptional individuals, those who excel in intelligence, conscientiousness, and emotional stability, are incredibly rare.

According to research, less than 0.0085% of people in a population of one million meet that criteria. And if you're curious about those who are truly profoundly exceptional, scoring three standard deviations above average in all three traits? The answer is close to zero; just one in 20 million.

Imagine yourself hiring a senior doctor or a policy strategist. You'd want someone intelligent, of course, but you'd also want someone dependable, self-driven, and emotionally composed under pressure. It seems reasonable enough. However, as a study by psychologist Gilles Gignac from the University of Western Australia reveals, finding such a person is incredibly unlikely.

Gignac's research simulated data for 20 million fictional individuals using real-world statistics for three key psychological traits: intelligence, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. Intelligence predicts your ability to learn and solve problems, conscientiousness speaks to your diligence and organization, and emotional stability reflects your resilience in the face of stress.

The results? Out of the simulated individuals, only 85 per million ticked all the boxes for two standard deviations above the average. And only one person out of 20 million was profoundly exceptional, meaning three standard deviations above average in all three traits.

Humans have a tendency to overestimate the frequency of rare things. From winning the lottery to meeting the perfect candidate, we tend to expect these events to occur more often than they actually do. Gignac's study directly tackles this bias.

Even being slightly above average on these three traits makes someone relatively rare. The reliable, dependable worker who shows up on time, meets deadlines, and handles stress gracefully? They're more scarce and valuable than you might think.

It's not just about unrealistic expectations - it's about opportunity cost. By waiting for the rare, exceptional candidate, you might miss out on the reliable, capable candidate who could still help you reach your goals.

The study adds a valuable perspective to our understanding of the extraordinary. It suggests that people who are moderately above average in two or three desirable traits are already exceptional. Pushing for extreme levels of any one trait can result in negative consequences. For instance, too much conscientiousness might lead to perfectionism, while high emotional stability could sometimes mean less empathy.

So what can we do with this information? The first step is to recalibrate our expectations. In hiring, education, coaching, and parenting, it's crucial to recognize the value of those who are simply reliable, dependable, and consistent. They may not set the world on fire, but they keep it running. In education, tailored support for students with above-average potential is essential, not just the stereotypical focus on giftedness. And in relationships, perhaps it's time to reevaluate the need for the perfect partner and instead appreciate the rare individual who's smart, kind, and dependable.

  1. In the realm of research, it is revealed that individuals who possess Intelligence, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability at three standard deviations above the average are close to nonexistent, with only one in 20 million meeting this criteria.
  2. The hiring process for senior positions, such as doctors or policy strategists, requires not just intelligence, but also dependability, self-drive, and emotional stability – traits that are challenging to find, according to psychologist Gilles Gignac's study.
  3. Gignac's research illustrates the tendency of humans to overestimate the frequency of rare events, such as meeting a perfect candidate, reinforcing the notion that such individuals are far less common than we typically imagine.
  4. Being slightly above average in Intelligence, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability already makes an individual exceptional, according to Gignac's findings, implying that the pursuit of extreme levels in any one trait may lead to negative consequences, such as perfectionism or a lack of empathy.
  5. By recalibrating our expectations in hiring, education, coaching, and parenting, we can better appreciate and support those who are reliable, dependable, and consistent, rather than continuously striving for the perfect example of excellence.
  6. In education, it is essential to offer tailored support to students with above-average potential, not just a narrow focus on giftedness, ensuring a fair and equitable learning environment for all.
  7. Reframing our expectations in relationships may also prove beneficial, as reevaluating the need for the perfect partner and instead appreciating the rare individual who is smart, kind, and dependable cultivates a more balanced and fulfilling connection.

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