Talent, Passion, and Purpose: A Visual

How do you view Talent, Passion, and Purpose?

Maybe you haven't consciously thought of the three together. But when both Peter Vajda  and Bill Peel quickly added to the discussion, it was obvious that other experienced folks also believe that the three really can't be separated. Here's Bill's comment in toto:

Here how I see it. Talent (giftedness) tells me what kind of ammunition I have in my gun--what I am or can be good at. Passion on the other hand is emotional energy focused on something. You are not just passionate in general; you are passionate ABOUT something. So my passion helps me identify the target or where I need to aim my ammunition. That's how I see these working together. Taken alone, being passionate about something doesn't identify my best contribution to that arena. On the other hand, knowing WHAT I am good at doesn't tell me WHERE I should seek to invest my talent. Taken together they guide me to the contribution I was placed on planet earth to make.

So I thought I'd give a shot at a simple graphic representation of Bill's words.

If you are keen on delving more into aligning Talent, Passion, and Purpose, you might want to check out a Natural Talents slideshow  that I uploaded to YouTube.

I hope that you will use the deeper thoughts behind these illustrations to guide your own thinking about work and its meaning for you.

Let the conversation begin. . .

Comments

[Dean Fuhrman]

Steve -

I like the visuals. Very good way to think about this. I was wondering as I looked at this material though if there need be any thought of what environment one places one's talent, passion, and purpose? You know you could have a ton of those three, in just the right mix, and in the wrong environment it could be a disaster. A fish on land to mix metaphors.

[Steve Roesler]

Dean,

Good to see you!

You're right on the money. The kindof organization and its culture is a key element. That's a part of the assessment process that we use with clients and is part of the other presentation that I alluded to.

I guess in the effort to highlight the way Bill and Peter helped tie things together, I stuck with those three elements.
Thanks to your observation, I'll have to figure out whether to add it to an upcoming post or revise this one.

In the words of Yogi, "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Thanks, Dean.

[Jo]

Hi Steve

I am not sure what happened to my comment which I made as I dived out the door early this morning.

I wondered what disagreements you had had to your statement and posed the view that people know what they want (and can do). They don't think they will be allowed to do it though. They are desperately looking for a place to enact their vision.

It's been quiet on the internet today!

Jo

[Steve Roesler]

Jo,

Do you have a photo of yourself diving out the door this morning? I could use a really good visual:-) And thanks for making me not feel so crazy; I thought the internet felt a bit laid back today as well. It seemed somewhat different than normal but I can't put my finger on it.

The issue surrounding talent and being able to use it is certainly a legitimate and bothersome one, Jo. One would wonder why--if companies are crying out for "engagement" and individuals are desperate to "show their stuff"--that there is any shortage of "engaged talent".

Sounds like something we should write about. . .

[Jo]

I couldn't agree more!

I think people have always been worried about finding a place to bloom - that isn't new. What is new is the complaining by employers. Is it that new media makes the complaining more public? Have we really changed? Have companies changed?

Are you tracking the Bigger Small Talk Summit at You Already Know This Stuff?
http://youalreadyknowthisstuff.blogspot.com/2008/03/so-how-far-is-fargo.html

MIT also published a report yesterday on the waste of Gen i intellect - people are so under-utilised at work they have to go home to get exercise - intellectual and physical. That report's already fallen off my pageflake - I wanted to read it - so I'll look hard later!

I've been very interested in the 'stalling' we do when we know what we want but the chasm between where we are now and what we want is terrifying. David Whyte, the corporate poet, is good on this point. I notice people searching for his poem "start close in" - it is taking the first step that is so hard.

Let's see if today is more lively. Aren't we so 21st century when a quiet internet makes us feel uncomfortable!

[Wally Bock]

This post was selected for the Carnival of Human Resources
http://blog.threestarleadership.com/2008/03/18/31908-the-carnival-of-human-resources.aspx

[Steve Roesler]

Jo,

Whoa, I was switching back and forth to respond to comments on different posts and realized that I skipped over yours (glad I keep a list).

Thanks for pointing me toward Jodee's summit. Somehow I missed that and she's someone whose site I stop by to check out with some regularity; I really enjoy her energy and her thinking. So maybe I better do a little more than lurk and enjoy, and make the connection.

Under-utilised is an interesting "problem". Companies are screaming for "engagement" and employees are saying "I'm under-utilised"!

What's wrong with that picture??!

[Rerto Jordans]

I'm glad to be of your space. The pictures are good-looking, and writing is very good!