This post http://thetalentcode.com/2010/05/05/identifying-talent-what-really-matters/
from the Talent Code Blog is nothing short of awesome. Every coach, parent
teacher and reader should read this and think twice before they anoint someone
as the next great ___________, you fill in the blanks. This paragraph from the
post speaks volumes.
All of this is a roundabout way of
making a simple point: we fail at talent identification because we’re looking
in the wrong place. We instinctively look at performance (which is visual,
measurable) instead of mindset and identity, which are what really matter,
because they create the energy that fuels the engine of skill acquisition. They
are the nuclear power-plant for the 10,000 hours of deep practice. They are the
ghosts in the machine.
Bottom line –
look for that growth mindset, the little scrawny kid who refuses to give up,
who keeps coming back for more. I know when I was recruiting for track I was
always more interested in the kid who was fifth in the California State meet
who had to scratch and claw to get there. They were the ones who went on to
excel in college. They were the ones who were fun to coach.