Gilbert's Second Leisurely Theorem
"Typical competence is inversely proportional to the potential for improving performance (the PIP), which is the ratio of exemplary performance to typical performance. The ratio, to be meaningful, must be stated for an identifiable accomplishment, because there is no 'general quantity of competence.' In shorthand, this theorem states that PIP = Wex/Wt as shown in the image to the right.
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The PIP, ExplainedThe PIP is the ratio of exemplary performance to typical performance.
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Corollary of the Second Leisurely Theorem: The lower the PIP of any person or group, the more competitive that person or group is. Competitive in this instance means "comparative competence."
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(Gilbert 2007)
Gilbert defines exemplary performance as the worth of the best instance of that performance in history, and typical performance would be the current performance of the thing or person being analyzed. For example, if the fastest runner in history is the exemplary, and you run at about 75% his speed, then your potential for improving performance is 25%, or 1/4.
PIP = exemplary/typical = fastest runner/you = 100%/75% = 25%
Generally, the smaller the PIP, the harder it is to improve the performance, but that also means that your performance is closer to the exemplar (which is a good thing). It is good to remember, though, that the PIP can always change because the exemplar can be improved upon as well.