Less Than One Percent

In “Less Than One Percent”, Imamu Tomlinson challenges the assumption that standard metrics and predictive models are sufficient to identify true potential. He argues that we often overlook outstanding talent because it fails to conform to conventional expectations. Through a series of compelling stories from sports, business, and leadership, Tomlinson shows how some of the greatest successes began as “underdog” narratives that traditional evaluators would have dismissed.

One of the central case studies is Stephen Curry — once ranked 256th in high school prospect rankings — who defied those judgments and became an NBA legend. Tomlinson uses Curry’s journey to illustrate how flawed our standard predictions of success can be, and how groundbreaking outcomes often emerge from the margins, not the center. He also examines moments in sports history, such as the New York Giants’ upset victories over the favored Patriots, to show how disruptors can prevail when conditions and perception shift.

Tomlinson doesn’t stop at storytelling. He connects these examples to broader lessons about leadership, talent development, and organizational culture. He encourages readers to question the metrics we use, to look deeper for unconventional signals of excellence, and to cultivate environments where “hidden” potential can flourish. He also draws from his own journey — moving from underestimated candidate to CEO of a major healthcare partnership — as a real-world illustration of defying expectations.

“Less Than One Percent” is a call to reimagine how we value people and performance. Tomlinson invites us to broaden our view of what success looks like, to challenge our biases, and to believe that greatness often lives in places we least expect. If you lead a team, mentor youth, or simply want to see more potential realized in the world, this book gives both the inspiration and framework to do it.