ThriveCurve.com

Talent and Mastery - developing, recruiting, identifying

In June, two things came together (a book and a drawing class) that re-shaped how I think about how people become and stay “talented”. “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle is an amazing book, that peels away the mystery on how some people get to the top of their craft. They need:

1. the passion, role models and vision that makes the amount of effort required paletable (not much new here, although the book goes into interesting ways of igniting that interest, especially in kids)
2. micro learning cycle repeatedly repeated- hundreds of times a session. This is around breaking down the craft into discrete blocks of technique, and then focusing on each of these. While this is happening, one becomes immersed in “right brain” mode - with the constant try something, get feedback on whether it is right and repeat. During June we attended a “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” week long workshop (see next post) in Melbourne. This is based on Betty Edwards excellent book on understanding and developing technique for drawing. During the workshop we did this micro learning technique, and it has had a lasting effect in a number of ways.
3. being able in one’s head to envision coreographing all the pieces together into a seamless whole

A key insight is that from the outside, this doesn’t look like “proper practice” and it often looks like they are making little headway, till suddenly it all comes together and we have “mastery”. What is disturbing about this is that before mastery appears, it is hard to know it will or to want extent. There are clear and present repercussions for recruitment and picking who of your staff will become stars.

The thinking leads you to look less at what they are actually achieving today and more at the observable signs that 1-3 above are happening, or that with the right environment and mentoring you can ignite these. Coyle goes on to describe the characteristics of great coaches, that appear to be the anti-thesis of the “pump them up” loud in your face motivation stereotype conventional wisdom and the media points us towards. Also, through the book, he give clues on how to get this going in kids - starting with igniting the passionthat then will fuel the commitment needed and pacing the practice so it stays fun and tuned to the feedback and feedback style they need. 

Tags: craft, Daniel Coyle, learning, raising kids, right brain, talent, The Talent Code