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Against the Rules · July 7, 2020 · 38m

The Unfair Coach

Lewis examines how the coaching boom creates inequality: wealthy families hire college admissions coaches, executive coaches, and performance coaches, giving their children advantages that compound over generations.

Highlights

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Coaching is the mechanism by which privilege compounds across generations
Lewis: wealthy families don't just pass down money — they pass down access to coaching, mentorship, and human capital development that multiplies the financial advantage.
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Meritocracy requires equal access to development — without it, merit reflects privilege, not talent
Lewis challenges the meritocratic ideal: if coaching dramatically improves performance, and coaching access is determined by wealth, then 'merit' is partly a function of family income rather than individual talent.