Careful calibration

Chasing the leader isn’t always a healthy endeavor.

It can help us to stretch, but it maps us to someone else’s position, not to our own capabilities.

On the flip side of things, bottom-calibration isn’t a good plan either. The better-than-the-worst position might keep you from being singled out, but that’s a downward cycle. And you’re better than second-to-last.

Besides, if that weakest link ends up being removed, where does that leave you?

Exercise caution in comparing yourself to others. As ever, the useful comparison is usually to yesterday’s version of you.