On the Myth of Talent at The Workplace

I often get asked what people should do with the talents they have. While I believe talent and knowing your strengths are great starting points, I think the idea of being “gifted” is overrated in the workplace.

Let me explain:

Success in the world of work relies on three essential components:

Knowledge + Practice + Talent

1. Knowledge:

Do you have the necessary knowledge to do what you need to, or can you figure it out?

2. Practice:

Have you practiced enough to become proficient? This is where concepts like the “10,000-hour rule” come into play.

3. Talent:

In my view, talent is what gets you in the door.

But knowledge and practice are what sustain you and make you a subject matter expert.

Take basketball as an example. When coaches scout for new players, they often say: “You can’t teach tall.” In other words, there’s a minimum requirement for height to become a basketball player. However, if a player simply relies on being tall and says, “I’m talented because I’m tall,” that alone won’t get them to the NBA.

Being tall might get them in the door, but to move forward, they’ll need more than height. They need knowledge of how the game is played, how to work within a team, and a clear idea of what they want to achieve. They also need the time and dedication to practice and improve.

Talents in teh 21st Century:

It used to take decades to become proficient at something. But today, with constant changes and endless opportunities, it can feel overwhelming to dedicate the right amount of time to skill development.

In my coaching and training, I encourage people to focus on consistent practice.

Why? Because practice creates knowledge.

Here’s an example: If you practice driving every day without knowing how to maintain your car, that practice will eventually push you to learn. You’ll either have to search for information online or ask others for advice. The same applies to other areas of life.

If you go to the gym every day—even if you don’t have natural athletic talent—but your goal is to live a healthy lifestyle, your consistent practice will lead you to acquire the necessary knowledge. You’ll start asking trainers questions, talking with others, and reading more about fitness. Over time, what will sustain your health won’t be talent or genetics, but the practice that drives you to gain knowledge.

In the workplace, people want one thing from you: to solve their problems. They need to trust that you have the ability to do so. A performer, for example, might have a great voice, but without practicing the songs their audience wants to hear—or gaining the knowledge of how to perform well on stage—they likely won’t build a lasting career.

In short, talent opens doors, but it’s knowledge and practice that carry you through and allow you to excel.