Malcolm Gladwell and Colin Powell would both agree, ““There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.” The book Outliers gives several examples that support this idea. Although the idea that success comes as a result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure, Gladwell also argues that there are other contributing factors. However, three common factors exist in examining successful people. These individuals prepared vigorously, worked hard, and were able to learn from their mistakes.