Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

by Geoff Colvin

book data

106 ratings, 3.92 average rating, 46 reviews (more data...)

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published

October 16th 2008 by Portfolio Hardcover

binding

Hardcover, 224 pages

isbn

1591842247 (isbn13: 9781591842248)

description

Expanding on a landmark cover story in Fortune, a top journalist debunks the myths of exceptional performance.

One of the most popular Fortune article...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 303)

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12/02/08

Robert rated it:

Colvin set out to answer this question: "What does great performance require?" In this volume, he shares several insights generated by hundreds of research studies whose major conclusions offer what seem to be several counterintuitive perspectives on what is frequently referred to as "talent." (See Pages 6-7.) In this context, I am reminded of Thomas Edison's observation that "vision without execution is hallucination." If Colvin were asked to paraphrase that to ind...more Colvin set out to answer this question: "What does great performance require?" In this volume, he shares several insights generated by hundreds of research studies whose major conclusions offer what seem to be several counterintuitive perspectives on what is frequently referred to as "talent." (See Pages 6-7.) In this context, I am reminded of Thomas Edison's observation that "vision without execution is hallucination." If Colvin were asked to paraphrase that to indicate his own purposes in this book, my guess (only a guess) is that his response would be, "Talent without deliberate practice is latent" and agrees with Darrell Royal that "potential" means "you ain't done it yet." In other words, there would be no great performances in any field (e.g. business, theatre, dance, symphonic music, athletics, science, mathematics, entertainment, exploration) without those who have, through deliberate practice developed the requisite abilities.

Colvin duly acknowledges that deliberate practice "is a large concept, and to say that it explains everything would be simplistic and reductive." Colvin goes on to say, "Critical questions immediately present themselves: What exactly needs to be practiced? Precisely how? Which specific skills or other assets must be acquired? The research has revealed answers that generalize quite well across a wide range of fields." Even after committing all of my time and attention to several years of deliberate practice, under the direct supervision of the best instructor (e.g. Hank Haney, Butch Harman, or David Leadbetter) I probably could not reduce my handicap to zero but I could lower it under those conditions. Colvin's insights offer a reassurance that almost anyone's performance can be improved, sometimes substantially, even if it isn't world-class. Talent is overrated if it is perceived to be the most important factor. It isn't. In fact, talent does not exist unless and until it is developed...and the only way to develop it is (you guessed it) with deliberate practice. When Ben Hogan was asked the "secret" to playing great golf, he replied, "It's in the dirt."

Throughout his narrative, Colvin inserts clusters of insights and recommendations that literally anyone can consider and then act upon to improve her or his individual performance as well as helping to improve the performance of a team of which she or he is a member. For example:

1. Attributes of deliberate practice (Pages 66-72)
2. What top performers perceive that others do not notice (Pages 89-94)
3. Benefits of having a "rich mental model"(Pages 123-124)
4. Rules for peak performance that "elite" organizations follow (Pages 128-136)
5. Misconceptions about innovation and creativity (Pages 149-151)
6. How innovators become great (Pages 159-161)
7. How to make organizations innovative (Pages 162-166)
8. What homes can teach organizations (Pages 172-175)
9. The "drivers" of great performance (Pages 187-193)
10. How some organizations "blow it" (Pages 194-198)

Corbin provides a wealth of research-driven information that he has rigorously examined and he also draws upon his own extensive and direct experience with all manner of organizations and their C-level executives. (less)

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06/22/09

getAbstract rated it:

(review of isbn 1857885198)

Telling examination of the power of practicing

Author Geoff Colvin rejects the popular notion that the genius of a Tiger Woods, a Mozart or a Warren Buffett is inborn uniquely to only a few individuals. He cites research that refutes the value of precocious, innate ability and he provides numerous examples of the intensely hard work that high achievement demands. Best performers’ intense, “deliberate practice” is based on clear objectives, thorough analysis, sharp feedback, and ...more

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03/02/09

Robert rated it:

This book gave me insight into why I do not have any hope of becoming a world-class jazz bassist at the age of 54 when I have been playing double bass for 3 years and maintaining a full-time day gig! (I did benefit by playing electric bass for a number of years prior to taking up the double bass.)

(smile)

I'll have to be content to play as well as I am able and be grateful that wonderful musicians allow me to play with them.

At any rate...the book summarizes som...more

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01/21/09

Jonathan rated it:

bookshelves: business, have

Read in January, 2009

A pop-science, Malcom Gladwell, type book on what makes people reach the top of their field. Its an easy to read, and he mixes in anecdotes and research fairly seamlessly, though at times not completely compellingly. The central thesis of the book is that thousands of hours of "deliberate practice" are what leads to excellence (examples: Jerry Rice, Tiger Woods); and he has some interesting research to back it up.

I wish he had gotten more into the psychology of why people...more

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03/17/09

Mary rated it:

(review of isbn 1857885198)

Read in February, 2009

How and where do top achievers come from? How do they differ from the rest of us? Achievers in this book come from all walks of life; Tiger Woods, Steve Balmer, Jack Welch, Chris Rock, The Polgar sisters, Ben Franklin and their differences are apparent but similarities abound. Some of the most common phrases your mom and dad said to you in childhood are common themes in this book. Some people seem to have everything, but those with the ability to practice, show up and perseverance seem to be ...more

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01/27/09

Chazz rated it:

Read in January, 2009

On one hand, I think the subject matter is interesting, but on the other hand, sometimes the author spent too much time applying the concepts to areas that I wasn't interested in; eventually, I skipped maybe 20% of the book.

Still, it's an evidence-based look at "what really separates world-class performers from everybody else". Personally, I'm not so concerned with being #1 in the world (maybe just #1 in my world, just kidding). But, I do think the author gives good pointer...more

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04/28/09

Lucreid rated it:

bookshelves: insight-into-the-mind

Read in December, 2008

Geoff Colvin persuasively and intelligently delves into the question of what natural-born talent might be and where it might operate. The surprising conclusion is that while there are some aspects of "talent" that can be inborn--for instance, potential level of intelligence or physical potential--most of what we think of as "talent" is the direct and easily-documented effect of mainly one thing: deliberate practice (which has a specific meaning that he lays out in the book). ...more

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02/19/09

Andrew rated it:

Read in February, 2009

Extremely insightful book about how there is no such thing as naturally born, genetically preprogrammed talent. He does make room for varying intelligence levels, genetic dispositions to certain activities, etc.

Talent, he says, is a result of "deliberate practice," good environment, starting young, teamwork, intrinsic motivation.

Elements of deliberate practice:

- It's designed specifically to improve performance
- It can be repeated a lot
-...more

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06/13/09

Jerry rated it:

Confirmed my belief that pretty much anything can be learned if you put your mind to it and the time into it. Got a lot out of the idea of "deliberate practice". From Pete Maravich, Tiger Woods, and Jerry Rice to Mozart and the writers - they worked all their lives at their craft in a deliberate way. You gotta love what you do though. The references to business leaders distracted me. Ted Turner and Richard Branson would have been better business examples.

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01/28/09

Ignacio Guevara rated it:

bookshelves: currently-reading

El mito de las y los nacidos con talento, poco a poco va siendo vencido por los asombrosos estudios científicos recopilados en este libro, que demuestran que una práctica inteligente y constante puede ser la respuesta que buscamos ante la pregunta de porqué hay seres tan maravillosamente talentosos, y por supuesto, esto se convierte en una esperanza para los que queremos hacer cosas imposibles.

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01/03/09

Ann Hubsch rated it:

Read in December, 2008

This book goes the long way to report that success is an effect of "deliberate practice." It's not a quick read, but I still found interesting how "not-fun," deliberate practice with critical feedback is an effective means to achieve, as opposed to fun-only practice with praise. In contrast to "Outliers", this book's thesis is that success is directly related to the amount of deliberate practice.

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02/05/09

Jsg169 rated it:

Read in January, 2009

Great book. I think it's a must read for parents. Parallels Outliers a lot at the beginning but where it differs is that it is more keyed to outlining what you can do to become an outstanding performer. While Outliers was a treatise on how and why people become extremely successful people (and the chance and timing of success) Talent is Overrated reads more like a "You can do it too" book (but only with years of hard work). I would say this is a scientifically supported self help b...more

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11/20/08

Vince Green rated it:

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Vince by: It caught my eye at a local book store
recommends it for: students, parents, teachers, coaches

If you have never considered, discovered or been taught what the path to high levels of achievement are this is a must read.

A must read for those personally developing and those who develop others.

Whether you want to accept or debate the thesis, others will move on in action clearly spelled out in Colvins words whether they have read and considered them or not.

Great work Geoff.

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11/22/08

fbuser751251724 is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading

This book is just a reminder that I have to decide what I want to be really good at and the rest of it be okay with mediocroty (sp??? how the hell do you spell that). I can already think of a few thinks I am going to accept mediocroty such as biking, running, cleaning

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12/11/08

Johanna rated it:

Read in January, 2009

This book was recommended by the guy who taught my Project Management class, and I'm somewhat ambivalent about whether the main message is hopeful or not...I guess it depends on the day. Basic premise: prodigious amounts of deliberative practice of a skill is much more correlated to superior performance than is innate talent. Applies to sports, music, business, science ... doesn't matter what the field is. Borrow my copy rather than spending $$ on your own!

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06/04/09

Meera rated it:

No more excuses -its "deliberate practice" if I want to succeed :) The book also deals with the same topic as Gladwell's 'Outliers' and looks at a wide selection of scientific studies. I will add that some natural talent and a passion will surely help to cross over to excellence.

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12/20/08

Cathy marked it as to-read

bookshelves: to-read

Another author Steve and I watched on Charlie Rose last night, after Malcolm Gladwell. Again, a must read and soon! The next frontier of performance will be in how we parent our kids. Really interesting and amazing.

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05/02/09

Josh rated it:

Read in June, 2009

A fantastic book, especially the first three-fourths. It's completely counterintuitive, but innate talent really does appear to be overrated. It seems that 'deliberate practice' is much, much more important than whatever we are born with. The author shows that even Mozart and Tiger Woods, who are frequently seen as having been born with their amazing abilities, actually developed their abilities through hard work and passion (meaning that high-abilities are open to everyone). A very eye-opening ...more

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01/10/09

Jan rated it:

Read in January, 2009

Though there is much to offer in this book, Colvin doesn't have the smooth and engaging writing style of Malcolm Gladwell. I felt as if I was having to wade through a lot of words to get to the gist.

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05/01/09

Jamie Alana rated it:

This book will make you stop complaining about what you can't do and start making it happen. All of us are born the same. It's are drive and dedication that make some of us better at things than others!

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