In Mastery, Greene rejects the notion that mastery comes from innate talent and is thus available only to a select few. Instead, he champions hard work, persistence, and strategic learning as the true pathways to achieving mastery in any field. This ideological stance is not just a theme of the book; it is its very foundation. Greene argues against the commonly held belief that exceptional ability is born, not made, by drawing on a wide array of historical examples and biographical sketches that span centuries and cultures. He posits that the key to achieving one’s full potential lies in the rigorous application of oneself to their chosen craft or field.

The book’s ideological underpinnings are reflective of a broader cultural and historical shift from viewing mastery and high achievement as the result of divine favor or innate genius, towards a more democratic understanding that acknowledges the role of individual agency and the cumulative impact of effort over time. Greene’s narrative serves as a cultural critique of the myth of innate genius. As such, it also has inherently moralizing implications: In making the case that mastery is available to anyone, he implies that those who do not achieve it have only themselves to blame.