Talent Is Never Enough

Talent Is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent
by John C. Maxwell

This talented writer is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 12 million copies. He’s written dozens of great books. I have them all in my personal library and have reviewed four of them already for our web site. I would more than likely have shared even more of his work, but I’m running out of things to say about this man’s ability to write, reveal, share, clarify, simplify, educate, motivate, and inspire his readers to take the necessary actions for personal growth and success.

Just when I think there’s nothing else for him to focus on, another of his best sellers hits the bookshelf. He has this very unique ability to take the obvious and make it even more so. When you finish one of his books, you can’t wait to apply the many new strategies you’ve acquired and internalized. He’s done it again with Talent Is Never Enough. I knew early on that I was going to add this book to my list of “favorites” when, on page 10, I came across a quote from one of my all-time favorites, Dr. Seuss’s Oh. The Places You’ll Go! It’s only four lines, but they speak volumes:

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.

Maxwell’s latest book is filled with great quotes you’ll enjoy, appreciate and want to pass on to others.

One could easily be mislead by the title. You might even think the author is denigrating the value of talent. Actually, he focuses on what we can do to amplify our talent, whatever that may be, to an even greater degree. Simply put, having talent is just the beginning. Achieving success with your talent is the real challenge, and Maxwell shares 13 key choices you must make to actualize that goal.

Fear not that you’ll be overwhelmed by the wisdom of the ages. You’re about to discover an abundance of common sense in this game plan, but that’s exactly why most people forget or simply ignore these key choices.

However, couple this baker’s dozen with intelligence and talent, and you are well on your way to achieving long-term success.

Maxwell combines his outstanding insight, great quotes, challenging questions, interesting stories, simple action steps, and a great enthusiasm for the subject matter as he delves into each of these crucial elements: belief, passion, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance, courage, teachability, character, relationships, responsibility, and teamwork.

He’ll explain in great detail and clarity exactly how each of these significant elements can and will intensify your proficiency, allowing you to stand out in a sea of talent. He points out that if talent were enough, then the most effective and influential people would always be the most talented ones. But that is often not the case as the author asks us to consider the following facts:

• More than 50% of all CEOs of Fortune 500 companies had C or C- averages in college!
• 65% of all U.S. senators came from the bottom half of their school classes.
• 75% of U.S. Presidents were in the Lower-Half Club in school.
• More than 50% of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college!

Clearly, talent alone isn’t everything. If you want to be a “Talent-plus” person in today’s very competitive environment, add this “soon to be classic” title to your reading list. And don’t just read it—live it!

(This book review was originally published in 2007 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 16.)