Fortune Talkback: Is talent overrated?

You nailed it. No question about it. Only those that do not understand it will argue against it. Way to go, and thanks for observing. Now, what are YOU going to do?

While reading the article about talent being overrated, I was reminded of my lead professor at the University of Oregon, Zig Engelmann, who authored many programs of Direct Instruction. These programs were set up to provide the deliberate practice that appears to be necessary if a high degree of performance is the expected outcome. Zig’s programs moved students operating at the 15% level for their grade up to the 50% level over time. This may not be the same as developing a Tiger Woods, but for those students who only experienced failure, it was discovering that they could perform just as well as their more advantaged peers that gave them the impetus to apply themselves and succeed.

Only a very misguided soul would not want to perform as well as, or better than, a peer. We have had ways for our schools to perfect our abilities for a long time. I hope that Geoff Colvin’s book brings his successful strategies to the fore so that more people can discover that talent is overrated and hard work has its’ rewards.

Interesting read. But,I did not read much about the role resources – human, emotional support, financial support (to go through the training period) that is required in this ‘delibrate’ exercise to boost sheer determination, nurturing, effective & positive communication, encouragement, etc., etc.played in this. ARE ALL THESE IMPLIED? I thing talent is a natural endowment that needs to be purposely discovered,clearly recognized & intensely nurtured to achieved great results as discussed in this wonderful piece.

There is also such a thing called luck. The best preparation and effort does not replace the elusive 10% that is kismet of being at the right place at the right time. The wisdom is in realizing that we do not have control over that 10% and there is no failure in not becoming a Tiger or an Immelt. They however were superbly prepared and lucky to find the opportunity to exhibit thier talents and preparation. We are proud of them and especially thier humility

I am going to try to express myself about this issue. Pardon my ramblings. Over my 50 years, I have been a prince and a pauper. Success is usually fleeting and has as much (maybe more) to do with sheer luck and who you know rather than what you know. Success isn’t tied to how much you make, nor how much you steal but how much you retain. They can take away your freedom, your loved ones and your money but they cannot take away your intelligence. The guiding factor in whether someone is a “success” is whether or not they are happy. Most of the successful (wealthy and influential) people I know are either related to someone else that is famous or is a criminal that hasn’t gotten caught yet. I may sound cynical, but every little doggie has his (or her) day and nothing is forever. It was best stated a long time ago in a nearly forgotten book:
Ecclesiastes 9:11
“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” I cannot expound further on such ultimate wisdom. Make it a Great day and God bless you all.

I still didnt get what it took Jeff or Steve to get where they are?Was it luck (being at the right place at the right time)?Though insightful, I wonder what Jeff/Steve did in their roles at the pre managerial levels to get recognized.

The last two paragraphs made the most sense for me.

Then how do you explain a Savant? Talent is but one ingredient of success. Experience and practice bring out underlying talent. If that talent does not exist in some form, then no amount of practice or experience will bring high levels of achievement. There are also varying degrees of talent or ability. It is not all or nothing.

I think this article misses the mark.

To get where the people mentioned in the article are today, you would need above all, ambition.

I manage a few hundred people, and talent is not the determinative factor, although it is very important. The most important factor is competitiveness. And the best predictor of achievement is when a person hates to lose, hates to be viewed negatively, and hates not to be the best.

Many of these high achievers don’t especially like hard work, but they will work extremely hard if they have to, just so they don’t fall behind. They are not necessarily the smartest, although they would almost always be in the top 10-20%. But if you combine above average intelligence with competitiveness, then you have a pretty good predictor of achievement.