Ordinary Greatness

As part of an experiment in context and perception, world renowned violinist Joshua Bell stood in a corner of a Washington D.C. metro station during the morning rush hour. Wearing street clothes, he pulled out his priceless violin and proceeded to play six classical masterpieces. Bell’s extraordinary performance went virtually unnoticed by the 1,097 commuters who passed him. The experiment revealed that Bell’s artistry was overshadowed by ordinary circumstances.

In Ordinary Greatness, Pamela Bilbrey and Brian Jones identify common blinders leaders and managers have which inhibits their ability to recognize greatness, as well as lay out individual and organizational behaviors and processes that help promote ordinary greatness in all employees.