6 Ways to Go Beyond Talent

Throughout the past month, we have been highlighting ways leaders can go beyond talent. The reality is: “As long as there are people in the world, there will be plenty of talent. What’s missing are people who have made the choices necessary to maximize their talent. Employers are really looking for talent-plus people.” 1

Each of us has the chance to be talent-plus. You will not stand out with talent alone, but giving a little “extra” will multiply your efforts.
As we close out this series of blog posts, we’d like to highlight a few more ways to go beyond talent based on John Maxwell’s book, Beyond Talent.

Passion Energizes Your Talent
“Passion is more important than a plan. Passion creates fire. It provides fuel.” 2
Passion is what allows talent-plus people to move forward until they succeed. Without passion, empowerment is difficult. Passionate people move beyond talent with enthusiasm and vigor.

Courage Tests Your Talent
“To develop and discover our talent, we need courage. The English word courage comes from the French word coeur, which means ‘heart.’ And we need to recognize that if we display courage, our hearts will be tested continually.” 3
As leaders, our hearts are of the utmost importance. Courage molds our hearts. It allows us to know the truth, seek change, be challenged and grow.

Teachability Expands Your Talent
“Teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It is the desire to listen, learn, and apply.” 4
When we stop learning, we stop leading. To make an impact as leaders we must expand our knowledge base and pursue constant learning. Our hunger to learn will inevitably pour over into those around us.

Relationships Influence Your Talent
“Surround yourself with people who add value to you and encourage you, and your talent will go in a positive direction.” 5
Want to trace the success and failure in your life? Look to the people you are around each day. Those you spend most time with will either lift you up or pull you down. Aim to spend your time with those you will help you to become talent-plus.

Responsibility Strengthens Your Talent
“Nothing adds ‘muscle’ to talent like responsibility. It lifts talent to a new level and increases its stamina.” 6
Taking responsibility provides a foundation for success. Upon that foundation builds ability, opportunity and reputation. When leaders show responsibility, they not only improve their own lives and talent, but in turn, improve that of others.

Teamwork Multiples Your Talent
“What’s the best way to handle your weaknesses? Partner with others who have strengths in those areas. If you want to do something really big, then do it as part of a team.” 7
Teamwork really does make the dream work. We can’t be perfect at everything. However, we can partner with people who succeed in areas where we miss the mark. Being on a team with talent-plus people multiples your talent.

Overall, there are many influences that allow leaders to go Beyond Talent and pursue leadership in new ways. Success is unlimited if we put each of these reminders into action. To learn more about the points featured in this blog post, check out Beyond Talent.

Which factor in your life helps you most to go beyond talent? Share with us below or on Facebook or Twitter using #BeyondTalent!
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1 Beyond Talent, pg. 273
2 Beyond Talent, pg. 31
3 Beyond Talent, pg. 151
4 Beyond Talent, pg. 167
5 Beyond Talent, pg. 211
6 Beyond Talent, pg. 235
7 Beyond Talent, pg. 255