Encouraging and Developing Talent: Three Lessons from Middle School

This weekend, our 12 year old middle schooler decided she wanted to follow a Bob Ross tutorial and came up with this beautiful painting in the time it takes to follow a Bob Ross YouTube video! Granted, we are a little biased, but this is amazing! Seriously, she's 12, and had not previously painted. Clearly she has untapped potential, as do many of our team members in our company. I relate a lot of things in my work life to my personal life, and this weekend had me thinking. How do we encourage and develop talent?

Make Sure They Have the Tools to Succeed

A talent in painting is nothing without the brushes, canvases and paints. And like our 12 year old, you must give your team members the tools they need to succeed - whatever they may be. You cannot expect your team to be successful without the necessary tools to make that happen.

Practice is Key to Performance

Once your team has the metaphorical brushes, canvases and paints, they need practice. Do not expect overnight success. Even if your team has some initial success in a project, they might not on the next. That's ok. Help them look at that as a learning opportunity, and keep moving forward. Even if our daughter's next painting is not quite at the level of this last one that's ok. Practice is key.

Encouragement and Praise is Critical - From Multiple Sources

I have mixed feelings on social media feedback, but our daughter is not on social media - yet. So, I posted her painting, and it has become my most liked tweet (likely since Bob Ross Official retweeted it!) I showed her the post, and all the encouraging feedback. Sometimes, feedback from others - whether it's from public praise for a project on social media, or from 360 degree feedback - can mean more to your team member than even your praise. Use it when appropriate.

Your team looks to you to guide them in your organization. Make sure you provide the tools to succeed, opportunities to practice, and provide encouragement and praise. You just might discover some untapped potential in your organization!