Talent is Never Enough
The national autopsy has already begun following England’s exit from the World Cup finals yesterday. Whether football is your passion or not, there was a very obvious lesson to behold from observing the performances of the cream of English football. Talent is never enough.
In every walk of life there exists individuals who possess very obvious natural abilities yet they fail to bring those gifts to bear upon results. ABILITY and CAPABILITY are not the same. Capability is a result of ability that has been enabled by improved self-awareness. It’s just not possible to influence that which we’re not aware of.
The window through which the light of our potential shines is our attitude, and yet it’s what influences our attitude that addresses the question. More specifically, it’s what shapes our thoughts and feelings at any given time that makes the difference to our personal and professional performance.
Where awareness is lacking, our beliefs, the myriad of ideas that originated with other people and sources, the concepts that have been subliminally impregnated in the mind over many years, subtly influence the quality of our thoughts and emotions. We’re rarely conscious to this process, yet we live it’s consequences. Then there’s the unconscious acceptance of the opinions of external sources such as friends, colleagues, family and the media that influences our thinking with their way of thinking.
Last but certainly not least is the influence of leadership itself. Returning to the English football team, I doubt whether any of the players, who enjoy somewhat of a celebrity status, lacked belief in their ability to perform at the highest level, but they clearly lacked belief in something. That is a leadership issue.
Whether it was a lack of belief in the system and tactics employed on the pitch, or the consequences of poor communication between a leader who struggles with the English language and the world-class players at his disposal, at some level there was a lack of belief that infested the group psyche of the English camp. It intoxicated individual mindsets, nullifying the talent, skills and abilities that have brought these players to the world stage.
Sadly, whatever the field, achievement is not accomplished through reputation alone. Talent is never enough.
