THE MICHAEL JACKSON LAW

Of all the strange and surprising patterns of talent, few are stranger or more surprising than the phenomenon called the Michael Jackson Law. This is the rule that the most talented performer in a family musical group will be among the youngest children.

Consider:
 The most talented Bee-Gee? Andy, the youngest.
 The most talented Jonas brother? Nick, the youngest.
 The most talented Hanson brother? Zac, the youngest.
 The most talented Andrews Sister? Patty, the youngest. 

 The pattern isn’t exactly new. Mozart and JS Bach were also the babies of their families.

The question is, why? Why are the Tito Jacksons and Nannerl Mozarts of the world fated for obscurity? Is it simply a coincidence? Or is there something deeper going on?

I think the younger kids are more talented because they have more opportunity to steal. That is, to spend lots of hours intensely watching their siblings, borrowing what works, and discarding what doesn’t. To use their siblings as a test kitchen for developing their own recipe for success.

Young athletes need to do the same thing. They need to watch the older more experienced athletes on their team and pay attention to what works and what doesn't. Pick up the good habits and try to avoid the bad ones. Soak up everything you can from those that are better than you.

(Thanks Daniel Coyle)