Straight A's are soooo overrated. Here's the real grade that actually matters!

For this article, let’s try to debunk the “straight-A” myth.

Continue reading to know what’s even more important than getting all straight A’s.

Straight A's are soooo overrated. Here's the real grade that actually matters!

In every workplace, there’s an invisible scoreboard.

It doesn’t hang on the wall, nor is it tracked in neat spreadsheets… but it’s there—silently determining who rises, who stalls, and who quietly fades into the background. 

You can’t charm it with a résumé filled with gold stars, nor can you buy its approval with a degree embossed in silver. 

It’s far less interested in what you’ve achieved in the past than in what you’re willing to do right now.

… and if you ask  Professor Joel Litman , Chairman and CEO of  Valens Research  and Chief Investment Officer of  Altimetry Financial Research, that scoreboard has little to do with the marks you got in school—and everything to do with how you approach your life today.

Shattering the “Straight A” Myth

For decades, society has clung to a comforting narrative: Get good grades, secure your spot in the top ranks of your class, and the path to success will unfold before you like a red carpet. 

However as Prof. Litman points out, this belief isn’t just flawed; it’s also dangerously misleading.

According to him: 

“The chances of straight-A students becoming very successful are actually quite low.”

Not zero, of course. Many valedictorians and  magna cum laudes  find stable careers. 

… but if you look at the world’s top entrepreneurs, innovative scientists, transformational leaders—even heads of nonprofits—you’ll often find they weren’t the perfect students. The pattern just doesn’t hold.

So, what does hold true? 

Effort —relentless, curious, creative, above-and-beyond effort.

Prof. Litman isn’t dismissing the value of learning or hard work in school. What he’s dismantling is the idea that grades alone define destiny. 

In his view, the true grade that shapes a person’s trajectory is the  “A” in effort.

Think about this: A student who pours himself or herself into his or her studies—whether he or she walks away with A’s, B’s, or C’s—builds a far more valuable skill than test-taking prowess. 

He or she learns persistence… problem-solving… adaptability.

That same principle carries into the workplace. 

If a manager assigns a task, completing it as instructed might check the box. 

However, going the extra step—asking why the task matters, finding ways to execute it more efficiently, or considering how it fits into the bigger picture—shows a level of engagement that stands out in any environment.

Prof. Litman illustrates this with everyday examples:

• Did you help a colleague outside your department because they asked for support?
• Did you attend a meeting outside your usual scope just to learn something new?
• Did you follow up on a missed call by listening to the recording and seeing where you could add value?

These aren’t grand gestures; they’re  deliberate  choices to lean in rather than step back. 

Over time, such actions stack up, building a professional reputation that money or credentials alone can’t buy.

He likens it to “extra credit” in school, but with infinitely higher stakes. 

In other words… 

In life, going the extra mile doesn’t just improve your grade; it also changes the trajectory of your career and personal growth entirely.

Beyond Titles and Diplomas

One of Prof. Litman’s most striking points is that even formal education levels don’t determine your capacity for success. 

Besides, some of the most capable, driven professionals never finished school, or stopped at an associate’s degree. 

Others chose not to pursue advanced degrees, yet still outperformed peers with more impressive credentials because they consistently brought unmatched effort to the table.

What does this show? 

It’s not the diploma that opens the door. Rather, it’s the determination to walk through it and make things happen on the other side .

What else? 

Prof. Litman often talks about staying  “hungry” —not in the sense of desperation, but of genuine curiosity and desire to grow. 

Such hunger fuels the kind of effort that makes people invaluable to their teams, adaptable to any challenge, and resilient in the face of setbacks.

… because in the long run, the world doesn’t pay the highest dividends to those who simply followed instructions and hit their marks. It rewards those who asked better questions, sought better ways, and made the decision—day after day—to put in more than what was required.

— 

In a world still obsessed with grades and GPAs, Prof. Litman’s message is both a reality check and a roadmap. 

Your transcript of records may open a door or two, but it’s your willingness to show up, dig deeper, and do more than the bare minimum that will determine how far you go.

So, if life is keeping score—and it always is—forget the race for perfect marks! 

Instead, make sure you’re earning the only A that matters: The one for  EFFORT.

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