Talent Isn't Enough For Success, You also need that "it" factor!

This week I had the pleasure of attending the Recruiters' Forum at the University of Illinois Urbana, my alma mater.  The key not speaker for the event was Justin Spring, men's gymnastics coach.  This year his team lost and lost miserably.  His message was about talent and the it factor.  What is the "it" factor? Stay tuned.

Justin addressed the HR professionals, recruiters, and managers in the room and he told us when recruiting, "talent isn't enough".  Whoa! That was a hard pill to swallow.  Most recruiters and hiring managers look for the best and brightest.  After all what school you went to, your G.P.A., your previous experience all listed on your resume neatly packaged tells the hiring professional whether you are successful or not, right? Wrong.

Think about your own work environment, you may work for or with someone that has all the credentials and looks good on paper yet doesn't quite measure up.  Why is that?  Many people are skilled interviewees or simply have great connections that place them in positions of leadership and influence.  They may have been promoted over the years, however, none of those factors guarantees the person is a great or effective leader.

So what is the "it" factors needed to accompany talent? HEART!  Yes, heart.  When one's heart is in their job, position, or task; they are passionate, determined, dedicated, and relentless laser focused on achieving their goals.  Surprisingly, if a person has heart yet lacks talent, the talent can be developed.  Its easier to develop talent than to develop a passion in an individual for a task.  

Ironically, listening to The Magic of Thinking Big this morning, a scenario is referenced where a swimmer was afraid to jump in the water and compete.  His knees buckled, he began sweating, and almost fell apart.  His coach walked up to him and said jump with your heart and your head will follow!

I'm also reading the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, the night before attending the forum, I read the Law of Connection, one part of the chapter 'The Heart Comes First'.  "Effective leaders know that you first have to touch people's hearts before you ask for their hand....You can't move people to action until you first move them with emotion." 

Imagine, hiring someone or recruiting someone for your team that already has the heart and emotion.  If you are an effective leader and you cultivate that, success and growth are inevitable for your team or organization.  

Interesting enough nevertheless, most recruiters, recruit talent alone few look for the heart/passion in an individual. If a person looks good on paper, they're hired.  They could be the most negative, cancerous person in the department however they know their job and do it well.

However, if you are a business owner and leader this message is for you.  Choose heart/passion over talent.  Talent can be developed easier than heart/passion can.

There are 260 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

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