Talent Versus Skill

I had a natural aptitude for drawing at a young age.

Like many people who end up working in the creative industry, I was talented at expressing myself through a variety of creative mediums. My grandpa was a commercial artist and painter before me, and so we all figured it made sense, it was in my blood. 

However, as an adult, thinking about people in terms of talent didn’t sit right with me.

I just didn’t have the words to articulate why until I heard Seth Godin talking about it in his book, The Practice.

“Talent is something we’re born with: it’s in our DNA, a magical alignment of gifts. But skill? Skill is earned. It’s learned and practiced and hard won. It’s insulting to call a professional talented. She’s skilled, first and foremost. Many people have talent, but only a few care enough to show up fully, to earn their skill. Skill is rarer than talent. Skill is earned. Skills is available to anyone who cares enough.” - Seth Godin, The Practice

This quote really resonated with me. Because at this point, it’s no longer talent or even education that is driving me and differentiating my work as a professional. It’s my willingness to show up, it’s my daily practice, it’s my care for my craft, it’s my care for other people and my values as a leader, it’s my unique point of view, it’s my ability to not only analyze the big picture but bring solutions to the table, and it’s my willingness to try and bring about positive change.

Although I do believe that earned skill is rarer than talent, it’s by no means exclusive. In fact, when coaching I think it’s essential to recognize that your team has the same potential to care, to show-up, to bring solutions, and to create change. For this reason, I frequently invite my team to look at the big picture with me, not just the polished vision but the real challenges we face. I see leadership potential in those who see those same challenges as opportunities, who search for ways to take ownership and make change. After all, there is no end to the work.

And there is no end to the practice, as long as we care enough to show up.

Empathy And Common Sense In The Design Industry

You don’t hear  much about the role of skills like these in the design industry, but empathy and common sense are two of my strengths. I use these and other “soft” skills in almost every interaction I have as a creative leader. Doing so allows me to provide real value for both clients and employees. I was excited that Brand Strategist, Tim Maleeny touched on this topic in Episode 133 of The Futur With Chris Do Podcast. I’ve highlighted the parts of the conversation I really connected with, in my own words, in the carousel below.

Defining Leadership

“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and who has the courage to develop that potential.” - Brené Brown

This incredible definition of leadership is brought to you by Brené Brown. If you’re unfamiliar with her, feel free to just stop reading right now and navigate yourself to her work. I’m sharing her words here because I relate to this definition of leadership at my core.

Early in my career, I didn’t see myself as a leader because I didn’t have this kind of working definition for leadership. However, I would always end up wearing more hats than any formal job description ever articulated. 

This was because I was taking interest, paying attention, and taking responsibility. I saw potential and I was putting in the work to develop it. This was happening way before I was offered a formal role in a leadership capacity. Because envisioning and influencing change that contributes to growth, efficiency, and efficacy thrills me. And I personally love sharing knowledge, information, and personal experience that empowers people. Which is part of why I’ll be sharing my thoughts as a leader in the creative industry on this blog as well.