I understand this analogy. However, from my vantage point I would argue that cultural trends [starting with the so-called "self esteem movement" in the 70's] have tended towards rewarding people for average or below performance ,i.e., defining merit downwardly so to speak.
https://twitter.com/CoachLisle/status/1400573245921939458
From my vantage point, this kind of false praise, so to speak, will only serve to impede development [whatever the domain]. Based on practical experience as well as academic research on high level performers, one has to understand what I refer to as the "high standard."
And one has to understand as to how they ACTUALLY measure up to that standard. Inherent to this is an honest assessment as regards the kinds of flaws/deficits one has that need to be worked on in order reach that high standard.
My experience is that all too many are never really apprised of the kinds of flaws they have, thus, they never overcome those flaws.
Twitter is not the place to argue in detail about my argument [of course]. But I'll cite an anecdote from something I ran across in the 90's when working at Newsweek [Houston bureau] as a researcher.
A new inner city charter school in Atlanta became the focus of a NY Times article [due to it's very high degree of performance as regards grades, college bound students, etc.
They asked the principal in effect: "What's your secret for this kind of high level performance?"
His answer: "Well, it's really pretty simple: We create a pretty high standard.......AND WE ENFORCE IT." [my emphasis].
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