Identifying Talent – You Might be Doing it Wrong

Origin Story

My parents both grew up on public aid at different points in their lives. My father’s family started out living in the Columbia Center Housing Projects. My uncle still says the government cheese was the best.?

I come from a solidly blue-collar background. My whole family—my grandpa, his second wife, my dad and mom, and my dad’s two brothers – all spent their lives working hard on a freight railroad outside Chicago. They all worked on call, swing shifts, doubles, and holidays to provide for our family.

As an adult, I appreciate and understand why they worked so hard. But as the oldest child in my generation, I was really resentful of it. My parents often worked simultaneous overnight shifts and I was charged from an early age with ensuring my little sisters made it safely through the night.?I developed a pattern of recurring nightmares that my home would be hit by a tornado, and I couldn’t save my sisters.?Of course, I’d always survive the storm and be stuck with the guilt that they died on my watch.

Even with my parents working so hard, things weren't easy.?

I remember being embarrassed that I couldn’t get required school supplies ‘until pay day.’ As one of the tallest kids in my grade school, my pants always ended up as ‘floods’ – too short – by the end of the year because we could only afford new school clothes once a year (see also, why Cheryl doesn't wear capris as an adult). I was a stellar student, a dedicated athlete, and fierce competitor (Science Olympiad, anyone?).?But none of that seemed to matter – I was never able to stand out when compared to my more privileged classmates.

And while this all seems like a bit of a sob story, I’m here to tell you it's not.?It’s a story of resilience, agility, and ultimately triumph. And it’s the reason I am the leader that I am today.

I was the first in my family to go to college, even though it took me a decade to earn my Bachelors’ degree (and two of my younger sisters graduated before me!). I earned an MBA focused on the Management of Information Systems and Project Management – while working more than full time, often traveling for weeks on business.?I am a certified Project Management Professional and hope to be a certified Privacy Professional soon. I’ve been a fee earner at several of the top law firms in the world, and at 44, I’m the COO at my third startup. Someone even spoofed my work email the other day hoping to leverage my power in a phishing attack. I feel like that means I made it. But none of these credentials are my superpower. It's not what makes me a great leader.

My Superpower

As I’ve advanced in my career and have become influential within my organizations, I’ve found that I have an impressive ability to see the unfulfilled talent in people, often through a single conversation or observation.?Again and again, I have identified, supported, acted as an ally to, and mentored people into seeing and reaching their full potential.?It means I’m great at hiring and I get superior talent at a lower cost (don’t worry – I promote quickly and encourage people to grow beyond me, but more than that later). And it means people follow me and actively pursue ways to work with me.?I would put the talent in my network up against that of any Ivy school alums’ – the people I have been able to surround myself with are amazing.

It all comes down to one word: struggle.

That sounds like a pretty valuable and marketable skill, right? The problem is that's it’s exceptionally hard to quantify in the business world and even harder to describe how I do it. And that means this ability has no perceived value – I’m just another voice in the room. Never one to accept defeat, I've started trying to define and dig into where this skill comes from and how I KNOW so quickly about someone's potential.?And it all comes down to one word: struggle.

Don’t Be Ashamed If You’ve Struggled

Merriam Webster defines struggle as: “to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition.” Struggling through something – whether it’s poverty, dyslexia, family strife, or something else – means you’ve been able to tap your resources in a way that others haven't.?It means you live with purpose, and energy, and commitment.?But it doesn't always leave you with enough energy to produce ambition and drive – the two things you need to grow beyond your own perceived “best.”

That’s where I come in. I understand that your use of resources is better than most and I see your purpose, and energy, and commitment for what they are – precursors to greatness.?All you need from me is the tiny bit of extra energy to build dive and ambition. And off you go!

Yes, yes, Cheryl you’re wonderful. Is that the point of this article? Alas, it is not. So, I'll get to the point.

It’s time for a change

If you're a leader, stop rewarding credentials. And start looking for purpose and energy and commitment.?You can't teach these qualities, but you can teach people a new software or industry.?Ask better interview questions that allow people to tell you about their deeper self. Listen for people who aren't good at self-promotion (aka bragging). And get to know your top performers now. They'll help you hone your ability to see unrecognized talent.

Stop rewarding credentials. And start looking for purpose and energy and commitment.?

For everyone who has struggled, give yourself credit where it's due.?And stop waiting for ‘your turn’ – because it’s not coming.?No one will hand it to you. Pursue people you want to work with.?Don't only chase money (although don't sell yourself short either). Surround yourself with people who support you, who will act as an ally, who will loan you some of their energy when your reserves are low. And stop comparing yourself to others; instead, compare yourself to ‘past you.’ Are you happier, more content more fulfilled than you were yesterday? If not, do yourself a favor and move on.?Start today.

P.S. – Credit where credit is due – all three of my sisters are equally as accomplished. They’ve all crafted and followed their own paths to get there, just as you will.