7 Surprising Ways to Spot Talent
Success hinges on finding and leveraging talent.
Root premise:
Others determine your value.
It doesn’t matter how talented you believe you are.
Talent – like fruit – is for others, not the trees that produce it. What matters is how others benefit from what you bring to the table.
Talent is irrelevant until it brings benefit to others.
#1. Energy and talent:
Talent isn’t simply something you do well. For several years I built shaker furniture. I don’t enjoy woodworking like I used to. It’s no longer a talent.
#1. Find talent behind bright eyes and energetic hands.
#2. Expressing talent is effortless.
#2. Time and talent:
You forget time, when you exercise talent. Suppose you’re good with details, but they’re drudgery. It’s not your talent.
#3. Look for people who lose track of time.
#3. Value and talent:
It’s pure joy to heat up the oven for a couple of my coaching clients. They love the fellowship that happens around food. Cooking is a hobby. Hobby becomes talent when it brings value to customers.
Look for people who make life better for others.
#4. Talent adds value to customers.
#4. Results and talent:
I was always surprised when people told me that I made them think. I don’t try to make people think. It’s just who I am. I love ideas. No one tells me to connect dots and explore options.
#5. Look for natural inclinations, more than learned skills.
#6. Look for unplanned unexpected benefit.
Unlike skills, talent can’t be taught.
#5. Application and talent:
I work with a leader who is succeeding at sales by using talent. He’s not a hard-driving extrovert. He doesn’t pressure people. He makes customers feel safe without even trying. That’s talent.
#7. Provide opportunity and see what happens.
What questions might leaders ask to spot talent in someone?
This is a good one!!
Here is one of my questions: What projects do you most look forward to doing and why?
Thanks Mim. Love that question. Very helpful.
Dan,
Questions I would ask are:
Where do you see yourself today and where do you want to be today? What do you want from a company? What do you have to offer the company that could help us grow? What are your weak talents that you would like to enhance? How can we grow as a partnership? Do you prefer to work alone? Are you a team player?
Love the points. How can a company position itself to attract desired talent? So many places wish to attract talent yet do not support and nurture the talent once on board.