Dissecting Surprising Failures

What do you find when extraordinary performers produce work that is mediocre? If you examine the examples closely enough, you may discover the following:

• They were outside of their usual territory. The film director with an established reputation for thrillers decides to make a comedy on the mistaken assumption that story telling skills are easily transferable from one genre to another. The great sales representative, following a promotion, proves to be a terrible sales manager.
• They were ambushed by extraordinary circumstances. Changes in personnel, rules, and resources unduly hampered their ability to succeed. Their current environment is far less positive than the one in which they succeeded.
• They have experienced burn-out. The team that won the championship one year might lack the "fire in the belly" to be a contender the next.
• They have taken on too much. Nothing attracts additional opportunities like success. Enhanced self-confidence and fatigue can cloud the wisdom to say no.