To some people, this book will mean almost nothing. They will say to themselves, "See? Only a few people are really important, and they're all the friendly powerful people. I don't feel friendly or powerful, therefore I'm probably not important." Well, Malcolm Gladwell would probably point you to the Sesame Street chapter of this book if you had self-feelings like that. But, no worries, because that analysis is technically incorrect, and the true picture of Gladwell's opinion is bound to make people feel optimistic and powerful.
Since Gladwell's method offers specific skills that maximize someone's effectiveness as a socialite, those feelings are unnecessary, since those emotions are speculative, and Gladwell's observations are more effective ways of analyzing the same chaos in a better way. Gladwell isolates three key features of a happy, powerful person. They frequently make relationships, and they enjoy sustaining relationships and introducing people (which is something many people want, but do not do for personal reasons). Then there are those who excel in mastering something, so that they can share expertise with people (which is something many people want to accomplish, but do not accomplish, typically for personal reasons).
Therefore, the correct conclusion from Gladwell's ideas is not that only an elite few have what it takes to make a difference. It is actually the opposite. Anyone can make a difference if they can figure out a way to succeed in spite of their overwhelming emotional burdens and self esteem issues. By becoming more mentally healthy and social, people can position themselves in communities, and when the time is right, Gladwell feels people can rise to the task.
