Redefining Talent: A Guide to Connecting Your Life Skills and Your Livelihood
What does ‘talent’ mean to you? For many of us, the word is tied to our profession—our job title, our skills in a specific field, our upward career trajectory. We are a ‘designer’, a ‘financier’, or a ‘developer’. But what if that’s only half the story? What if our true talent is a richer, more vibrant tapestry woven from every thread of our lives?
The very definition of talent is evolving. It’s less about a narrow set of professional skills and more about the development and optimisation of our full human potential. This holistic perspective doesn't just change how we see ourselves; it changes how we connect with the world and our work within it.
The Professional and the Personal: More Connected Than You Think
We tend to live in two separate worlds: our professional life and our personal life.
In the professional sphere, talent is often seen vertically. We climb a ladder in a specific field, like finance, HR, or technology. This is the world of job descriptions, performance reviews, and career paths. It’s structured, defined, and familiar.
But then there is the rest of you—the vibrant, multifaceted person who exists outside of office hours. Think of these as your personal 'hashtags'—the unique collection of passions, skills, and interests that make you who you are. Perhaps you’re an #ultrarunner, a #gardener, a #poet, or you have a deep love for #architecture or #vintagedesign. These aren’t just hobbies; they are expressions of your identity, your curiosity, and your life skills.
The world of work is also shifting. Fewer people are staying in one job for life, with more embracing what could be called ‘portfolio-based working’—engaging in multiple projects and roles, often working for themselves or in smaller, collaborative groups. In this new landscape, your unique combination of personal and professional skills becomes your greatest asset.
The Power of 'Whole Human Talent'
Imagine what happens when you stop seeing your professional self and your personal 'hashtags' as separate. What if you could melt them together?. This integration is the essence of whole human talent. It’s the understanding that the discipline you learn from strength training, the creativity you nurture through design, or the resilience you build as an ultra-runner directly fuels your professional life.
This is about bringing your whole self to the table, not just the polished, professional version. When we do this, something powerful happens. We unlock a new level of potential, not just in our work, but in our well-being. My own experience in building companies and hiring for thousands of roles has shown me a consistent truth: the best, most effective people are often those who are functioning beyond the narrow confines of the profession they trained for. They are using a wider array of their life skills to solve problems, innovate, and connect with others.
Finding Your Untapped Skills Through Community
The beautiful thing about this approach is that it invites connection and community. You might not even be fully aware of the incredible skills you possess. Sometimes, we need others—a network of peers and collaborators—to help us see and value our own unique talents.
When we connect with people based on our shared 'hashtags' and whole selves, we build a community that is supportive, dynamic, and inspiring. We create an environment where we can move beyond the expected and explore what’s truly possible. This creates not only better, more effective teams but also happier, more fulfilled humans.
The most forward-thinking leaders and companies are beginning to understand this. They are looking beyond core skills on a CV and are learning to see the whole person—their potential, their passions, and the unique energy they bring. By thinking outside the box, they are building organisations that are more innovative, resilient, and deeply human.
So, take a moment to reflect. What are your hashtags? What hidden talents and passions are waiting to be integrated into your life and work? Embracing your whole human talent isn’t just a pathway to a better career; it’s a journey toward a more authentic and connected life.