The winning coach of the Chinese Olympic Ping-Pong team described the team training regimen as practicing 8 hours daily to perfect strengths. Strengths that are maximized become so strong they overpower the weaknesses. Our winning player plays only his forehand. Even though his competition knows he can't play backhand, his forehand is so invincible that it cannot be beaten. The greatest chance for success lies in reminding people or organizations of an existing strength, and getting them to rely on their strengths while instituting a management strategy for their weaknesses.
Individuals are always stronger when they have their successes and strengths clearly in mind.
So, we cannot understand greatness by studying the average. For example, the average coach defines winning as getting the better score. The great coach defines winning as doing things right, moving toward overall perfection. One's life work often begins in yearnings from childhood. Friendly advice can derail us from our strengths when we confuse it for a yearning.