This article by Malcolm Gladwell really painted a picture adopting the unconventional ways by using several wars fought in the past of different times, individuals, and even computer scientists to make it clear enough to understand his point. Gladwell, did well indeed portray this concept of diversified thinking in a conscience and creative way. He portrayed the norm of the society being based on conventional ways; that thinking outside the box is the only way we could be better at what we do. Going unconventional means disapproval from the norm, but with relentless attitude and focusing, goals are achieved. This brings Chaffee to mind; his concept of critical and creative thinking. To have victory in anything we do we must be critical thinkers. In sports for example or in wars, an opponent must observe the strengths and weaknesses of the champion which involves thinking critically and being creative. Even the powerful is not immune to defeat if you plan well. It is by knowing all these that one is able to strategically think and come up with ways of beating your opponent. Taking girls without the ability and knowledge of the basketball game is a very classic way of showing that it is not about what we know that sets us apart from the others, but our out of the norm ideas. It’s all about the effort we are willing to put in and the attitude. The efforts help get us there and the attitude is what keeps us in the game. Playing the conventional way does not guarantee winning, but the unconventional would guarantee better skills that propel the victory all the time.. He used the biblical account of David and goliath. The underdogs with the conventional way won 1/3 of the times. Unconventional strategies always make it. The author states that the winning formula is by substituting effort for ability. There was a time in my personal life where I had to critically and creatively think because my life depended on me making the right decision. I monitored the situation in my environment and capitalized on the weakness of my ex-husband then. I had to strategically plan to get out of an abusive marriage without putting my life or my kids in danger and moving on to live a peaceful and safe life afterwards. I had to observe, analyze, and plan. I was an underdog because I still did not have my BSc then, no good paying job at the time, no bank account. I was no match to him in anyway. Physically, I was just a roach because he is 6 ft. 3 inches tall and here I am 5 ft. 8 inches tall and skinny too. My only way out was become a David. Sometimes, when you don’t have anything or anybody, the only thing you have is the inner strength you draw on. That is the attitude one needs. According to (Gladwell, 2009) David pressed and that is required for the outside to come in to the game and win because that's what Davids do when they want to beat Goliaths.
Attitude is imperative in whatever we do as the author mentioned; it is a major factor in this game the girls were learning. Pressing back always worked for the opposing team. Studying your opponent and moving in quickly when the opponent is panicking and make a steal; called the RUSH STATE. Using unconventional ways to achieve your goals could be difficult in the beginning because they are not within the norm, till it becomes the norm eventually. The author of this article is trying to say that people should start thinking in a divergent manner; thinking outside the box comes with freedom to come up with limitless ideas. The conventional way of doing things only limits us; imprisoning our thinking potentials and you do this by constant practice and focusing on the trophy (your goal). Sometimes, going the unconventional route might be daunting for some people that they accept defeat or go the conventional way because it’s easier, but the fighters as David will not. But like the author says, you have the attitude to not relent and press forward with constant practice. One must be an outside to the conventional ways to play and win, but will have to face the problem of being rejected or disapproved by the insiders because one is a stranger to the custom.
References
Gladwell, M. (2009). HOW DAVID BEATS GOLIATH. New Yorker, 85(13), 40-49.
Chaffee, J. (2012). Thinking critically (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth-Cengage Learning