When talent and hard work aren’t enough

By Brian Maynor

 

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” – Stephen King

 

All of us are talented in one way or another, and most of us try to play to those talents when working hard toward success, but what happens when that isn’t enough?  As much as I like Stephen King and appreciate his insight, sometimes no matter how much talent and hard work we combine, success continues to elude us.

Believe it or not, there is a science behind our potential and it boils down to the difference between what we can do and what we typically do.  This distinction is why there are so many failed efforts on the part of employers to cultivate star employees.  They focus too much on assessing potential instead of assessing someone’s typical performance.  Yes, it’s great to think about what we could do in an ideal motivational environment when we are performing at our best, but the chances of that happening are rare, even on occasion let alone on a daily basis.

The truth is most of us have a performance-level routine, which is rarely our best.  However, on those occasions when we are working at our best, here are four reasons we still may not be achieving success:

1.   Poor fit. Organizational psychologists have been studying talent for years, and have found that talent is essentially having the right personality in the right place, and they call this “person-job-fit.”  This theory explores the degree of alignment between our attitude, values, abilities and disposition with the characteristics of the job, role and organization.  While employers are assessing this fit prior to hiring us, we also need to do our homework and assess the fit as well.  Researching potential employers is essential to ensure not only what they are telling us is accurate, but gives us a better chance from the beginning of being successful.  Thankfully we have websites like Glassdoor, which make this research a lot easier.

2.    This is often a side effect of poor fit, but certainly not the only reason we lack enthusiasm about our jobs.  While there may be many reasons we are disengaged that are outside of our control, i.e. the quality of leadership, there are things we can do to improve it.  Seeking out opportunities to learn and develop new skills as well as connecting with colleagues on an interpersonal level can help boost our engagement by making our work feel more meaningful.  Another option is to talk with our employers and tell them we are feeling disengaged and see what solutions can be created together.

3.    Office politics. No matter what employers say about their policies and procedures, it is impossible to completely escape the influence and effect of office politics.  The most we can hope for is a minimal impact, but some companies thrive on office politics and success is only achieved by playing the game.  In that situation, we only have two options, play the game or get out of it.

4.    Personal lives. While we may have access to work 24/7, no one lives for work to that degree.  We all have personal lives, no matter how small, that can and do impact our career success.  Aligned employers will understand and support the demands of our personal lives, and actually encourage them, because they understand their value and are committed to our long-term success.  If this is not the case, it is yet another example that our person-job-fit is not ideal.

Showcasing and focusing on our talents is a great part of planning for success, but it shouldn’t be the only part of the plan.  Even when we add hard work, there are still factors that can prevent us from achieving success.  These are four of the most common factors, but certainly not the only ones, to look for if our hard work and talent aren’t paying off.

 

 

When it comes to success, the long and short of confidence and competence is that we should always communicate that we are good at what we do without any hint self-deprecation.  We may think it’s humbling, but in reality it just sabotaging our success.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.