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Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent

“Talent Is Never Enough” – says John C. Maxwell. Because talent is only the starting point in business – adds Irving Berlin. Learn how to walk the rest of the road from one of the people who should know it best.

About John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell is one of the foremost authorities on leadership matters. In fact, he was chosen by “Inc Magazine” as the best leadership expert in the world. He is the founder of the John Maxwell Company and EQUIP and the author of numerous books, which have jointly sold almost 20 million copies. These include: “Put Your Dream to the Test,” “The Five Levels of Leadership,” “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” and “Leadership Gold”.

“Talent Is Never Enough Summary”

You’ll often hear company executives complaining over the lack of talent exhibited by their potential or actual employees. However, there’s an algorithm to talent, and, so many people have it, that, really, isn’t anything special.

What really makes the difference is the extent to which you have maximized your talent. And in “Talent Is Never Enough,” John C. Maxwell uncovers the thirteen areas where you can improve your innate strengths.

First of all – belief. “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing,” said Mohandas Gandhi, “would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” And that difference is there because you are not using your full potential. Believe in yourself – and you’ll instantly start doing better.

Second area – passion. You’ll get nowhere without it. Passionate people are the ones who are capable of walking that extra male. Because, passion gives them grit – and grit makes all the difference.

Third – initiative. Nothing will ever happen if you sit around your house all day. You can even be the next Einstein, but you won’t even get a job if you don’t start thinking and solving equations.

Fourth – focus. If you want to kill a lot of birds, it’s pointless to shoot around all day at flocks of birds. You aim carefully – bird by bird. And, in time, the count gets bigger.

Fifth – preparation. Need we remind you of the story about the reaching of the South Pole? Two expeditions wanted to become the pioneers history books will remember. Only one of them succeeded. Why? Because they didn’t rush it; they carefully prepared instead.

Sixth – practice. Because it makes perfect. And because you can excel at anything if you put 10,000 hours of work into it.

Seventh – perseverance. The second part of the grit equation. “Many of life’s failures,” said Thomas Edison once, “are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” So, don’t. Ever.

Eighth – courage. If you want to take a message to García, you’ll need to have a courage to go through the enemy lines. Without courage, fear may paralyze your talent. You won’t make a single step.

Ninth – teachability. “A winner,” wrote Sydney J. Harris, “knows how much he still has to learn, even when he is considered an expert by others.” So, coach yourself to win.

Tenth – character. Character is the basis of your talents. If you don’t have a strong character, your talents may worth nothing. Don’t let your character let you down.

Eleventh – relationships. Maxwell retells the story of Johnny Cash’s troubled life as an example of how much relationships matter. If it wasn’t for his wife, probably Cash would have committed a suicide and we wouldn’t have cried so many times over his cover of “Hurt.” So, be a good person to those around you. Take a lesson from this guy.

Twelfth – responsibility. Take matters in your hands. Don’t make up any excuses and turn the ship around when you are required to – even if you’re not the commander.

Thirteenth and final – teamwork. Don’t ever underestimate the effect of teamwork. As Rocky Balboa says about his girlfriend: “I’ve got gaps. She’s got gaps. But together we’ve got no gaps.”

Key Lessons from “Talent Is Never Enough”

1.      Talent Is Nothing Special
2.      Be a Talent-Plus Person: Extend Your Talent in 13 Categories
3.      Make Yourself an Indispensable Company Member

Talent Is Nothing Special

You may think that your talent gives you the edge, but you’re wrong. Everybody has his own strengths and, to stand out, you really need to find a way to maximize your potential. Because, as talented as you are, nobody will know that if you don’t show it.

Be a Talent-Plus Person: Extend Your Talent in 13 Categories

And you can maximize your talent by some focused hard work. In no less than thirteen different departments. First of all, confidence and passion. Then, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, and teachability. However, you also need to work on your perseverance and courage, while never forgetting to develop your character, and relationships.

Finally, you need to take responsibility, while never forgetting that talented teams work better than talented individuals.

Make Yourself an Indispensable Company Member

Nowadays, many companies claim that they are facing a talent shortage. In fact, a survey by the “Money” magazine has concluded that about 40% of employers are unhappy with what the labor market has to offer.

It’s your fault! You need to maximize your talent. And show to these employers that you are exactly what they are looking for.

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“Talent Is Never Enough” Quotes

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.