Higher Performance Insights | How to Curate Inevitable Luck

December 3, 2024
higher performance insights

Most campus leaders I know are waiting for their big break. They're hoping the right donor will notice them or their innovative program will go viral, or the perfect opportunity will land in their inbox.

 

But here's the thing about luck: it's not a lottery ticket.

 

There are four kinds of luck, and only one is truly random. The other three? They're waiting for you to show up. [1] 

 

The first kind is the lightning strike. The wealthy alum who happens to sit next to you on a plane. Pure chance. It's nice if it happens, but you can't build a strategy around it.

 

The second is the luck of the persistent. The Dean who visits 30 school districts, who writes 50 proposals, who shows up early and stays late. They're not just working hard - they're creating surface area for luck to strike. More at-bats means more hits.

 

The third is pattern recognition. When you're deep in your work and understand your campus culture, you start seeing opportunities others miss. That's not coincidence - that's expertise in action. The faculty chair who spots the emerging need for mental health support isn't just lucky - they're tuned in.

 

The fourth kind? This is where it gets interesting. This is about becoming the only logical choice. When you're the leader known for innovative first-year programs, guess who gets called when there's a major grant for freshman retention? When you're the one who consistently brings diverse groups together, guess who's top of mind for that cross-campus initiative?

 

Here's the real secret: luck isn't something that happens to you. It's something you become. [2] 

 

The question isn't "How do I get lucky?"

 

The question is, "What am I becoming that makes luck inevitable?"

 

Your move.

 

Footnotes

 

[1] How to Get Rich (Without Getting Lucky).

[2] The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgensen

Team Discussion Question

Consider your current role: What specific actions or qualities could make you the 'inevitable choice' for future opportunities in your area of expertise? Share concrete examples of how this would benefit your campus.

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