The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, says that 80% of the effect is the result of 20% of the cause. It was named for Vilfredo Pareto and Italian economist who, in 1906, realized that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the people. This rule has been applied to everything from economics to investing to management and leadership.
It was John Maxwell's writings in the 1990's that first introduced me to the idea, and it is one of those mathematical laws that is easily applied in practical ways all over the place. When you give it thought and understanding it seems to jump out everywhere. In fact, Maxwell flipped the switch for churches to see the value of the Pareto Principle, and now years later I hear church-goers in multiple churches refer to it related to the church. I most often hear it stated, "twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work."
The power of the Pareto Principle allows most of us to retreat into that statement as though it is true. I'd like to challenge that thinking today. Throughout the day today I will share a couple posts to explain what I think are a couple myths that the church believes about the Pareto Principle.
--Ben
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