Alternative theory: Many people of the type he talks about 1) were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, 2) had strong, effective organizations working for them, 3) were smart and competent enough to make effective use of #1 and #2, 4) stepped down while they were near or at their peak.
Most people, no matter how great, are not going to have #1 and getting #2 is difficult and unreliable.
Too much focus on the traits and actions of individuals is probably a result of the general cognitive bias to cast events in terms of structured narratives with well-defined causes and effects.
Most people, no matter how great, are not going to have #1 and getting #2 is difficult and unreliable.
Too much focus on the traits and actions of individuals is probably a result of the general cognitive bias to cast events in terms of structured narratives with well-defined causes and effects.