“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein

Jeff Christian on Talent

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 | 3 comments

These are notes to myself, from Jeff Christian’s book …

Formula Five for an exceptional leader: (1) Honesty and Integrity (2) Intellectual Firepower (3) Energy and Passion (4) Leadership (5) Humility.

Exceptional leaders are what talented people become.

Signs of talent:

Talent is Someone on the way up, quite possibly moving at blazing speed, so when you see it, grab it!
Talent is someone you instantly feel good being around.
Talent is the person you particularly want to have around when things go bad.
Talent feels lucky. Nothing is going to stop them because they know nothing can. They emit self-confidence, and the kind of spirit that is contagious.
Talent likes to win.
Talent is impatient. Unlikely to do the traditional middle manager gigs if they can find a way around it.
Talent gets to the point.
Talent is likely to speak their mind.
Talent has vision, and can see the future.
Talent brings other people into their vision.
Talent attracts other talent.
Talent is capable of reinventing wheel, and instead of taking a conventional route, it looks at a problem sideways. Talent often looks like a troublemaker.
Talent is a strategic thinker and a good listener. Also knows when to stop listening and start acting.
Talent will surprise you.
Talent is your “special sauce”. That what differentiates your company or product from the run-off-the-mill.
Talent is someone who might replace the boss.

Comments

I don’t know “Jeff Christian’s book”, but your notes are very interesting. Could you please provide more details to find the book?

Thanks, and keep up the great blogging,

John

John Busco Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 8:38 PM PT

Nice! To echo john - which book?

Raj Friday, August 26, 2005 at 4:53 PM PT

John and Raj - The book is The Headhunter’s Edge by Jeff Christian, the founder of reputed executive search firm Christian and Timbers.

Sramana Mitra Friday, August 26, 2005 at 7:32 PM PT

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