Geoff Colvin’s “Talent Is Overrated”A REVIEW BY JOACHIM MACEBONG

On top of their game

The question of talent

We look at some of the most successful people in the world, and we know they are different from us. But why are they different?

The idea of talent and leadership being innate has been around for centuries, but is this really true?

The study of high performance is critical in today’s world due to rapidly rising standards in every area.

As researchers have looked for evidence to link high performance to innate abilities (like intelligence and so on), they have found little of it.

So, what does explain high performance?

It is called ‘deliberate practice’, and its principles hold enormous potential to increase the productivity of individuals and organisations

Elements of deliberate practice

It is designed to improve performance

High repetition

Continuous feedback

Demanding mentally (several hours a day, with breaks)

Not a lot of fun

Aim for your learning zone

Comfort zoneLearning zonePanic zone

Effects of deliberate practice

Superior perception

Superior knowledge

Superior memory

Models of deliberate practice

Music model (presentations, speeches, job evaluations, interviews, etc)

Analyse the text and determine the most important idea to be conveyed

Work on each section repeatedly, striving to express yourself more effectively

Feedback after each repetition either from a coach or from watching video.

Models of deliberate practice

Chess model

Case method, organized under themes

Used in business schools, and can be focused on specific areas that need improvement

The key question is: ‘What would you do?’

Feedback can be gotten from classroom interactions and the real-life actions of the subjects

Models of deliberate practice

Sports model

General conditioning (basics, basics, basics)

Specific skill development through simulations, etc

Further opportunities for deliberate practice

Before the work (setting specific goals, thinking about the process for reaching those goals)

Self observation

Post mortem

Actively deepening your knowledge about your field

Lessons for teams and organisations

Jobs should be tailored in a way that stretches the individual

Encourage leaders to be active in their communities

Understand the role of teachers and of frequent and accurate feedback (coaching and mentoring programs)

Catch them young

Inspiration over authority (We were made to do big things!)

Developing people for leadership should be a way of a life, a cornerstone of the organisation.

Develop teams, not just individuals

Chemistry and culture are key

Encouraging innovation in organisations

Deepening knowledge of the field helps spur innovation

Innovation comes in an incremental fashion

A management that encourages an atmosphere of innovation

Deliberate practice has benefits in youth and old age

Knowledge is the foundation of great performance, and the earlier the acquisition of this knowledge starts, the better.

A supportive environment at home is a key factor in exceptional performance

Deliberate practice can help stave off the effects of age in one’s chosen field

Where does the drive for excellence come from?

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: Which is more effective?

Colvin cites research which says that only intrinsic motivation enables to persist through the demands of high achievement over many years

This brings us to the topic of JOY!

Only a joyful disposition can sustain you through the ups and downs of attaining excellence

THANK YOU