A common adage in the entrepreneurial world tells us that "A" students teach "B" students to work for "C" students. Read that again and let it soak in.

Research by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. involving more than 5,000 entrepreneurs indicates that successful entrepreneurs are generally not top students in scholastic endeavors. Like any rule there are exceptions. But often this adage bears out.

Why? Think about it. In the standard educational system in the United States, students excel based on their performance on examinations and standardized tests. Generally speaking, these top academic performers do not need to develop their social skills - their people skills - in order to excel. Sometimes they do, but they do not have to do so.

However, those who do not naturally excel in academics have to develop other traits and capabilities - humor, persuasiveness, street smarts or creativity - in order to excel, often becoming more developed as human beings and natural leaders. As they are rewarded for developing these skills, they learn how to use these talents to compete.

It should be no surprise to us that President George W. Bush was a "C" student at Yale University. Yet, he is president of the most powerful nation in the history of the world.

Families across America will see this in their own families. Take two brothers who are at polarized ends of this spectrum. One brother excels in school, gets scholarships, scores high on exams and is a little introverted.

The second brother is gregarious, outgoing, popular and is a leader who others follow - but he is at best an average student who talks teacher after teacher into giving him a second chance until he satisfactorily passes.

personality traits, behaviors, values and beliefs.

As I understand it, attorneys have the highest average I.Q. scores of any profession. But the economy often rewards the college drop-out who starts his own company far in excess of a career lawyer. Certainly, savvy "C" students surround themselves with plenty of "A" students on salary to handle the textbook stuff.

This is not a condemnation of education. Education is a key to eradicating poverty. But it isn't necessarily a key to entrepreneurial success and wealth. Many graduate with a four-year degree from a top university only to find that this preparation is vastly insufficient. For the first few years many employees are virtually worthless to the corporation for which they work. They make expensive mistakes and rely heavily on more experienced employees.

Companies often find it necessary to put new recruits through classes on basic skills never touched upon during their university training. Sometimes, it takes years before an employee is competent.

It is no wonder, then, that Bill Gates calls American public schools "obsolete." Speaking before an assembly of U.S. governors in 2005, the billionaire said, "By obsolete, I mean that our high schools - even when they're working exactly as designed - cannot teach our kids what they need to know today."

Interestingly, Gates recommends that the classic educational "three Rs"-"readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmatic"' - be supplemented by rigor (character), relevance (life integration) and relationships, which are key concepts surrounding success in entrepreneurship.

Which is why I counsel students to seek out teachers who are walking the walk. Just as a young person who is studying law should try to find work in a law office, an entrepreneurial student should be starting a business or working in an emerging company.

While the connection of classes to work may not happen seamlessly, hopefully he will learn how to take the theoretical lessons learned in the classroom and apply them to real entrepreneurial life at the office.