Elements of Talent Across Domains

ELEMENTS OF TALENT ACROSS DOMAINS

The intent of this research study was to examine the different models of talent development of elite performers. The students whom conducted the research on how talent developed, came to an underlying conclusion that talent is influenced by a wide variety of factors and no single factor can essentially develop talent to its potential. They accomplish this by first comparing two superb models by two outstanding individuals, Terry Orlick and John Wooden. Each had their personal models that accomplished the goal of maximizing talent. Although both models were superficially distinct, their central goal was the same. Terry Orlick used the Wheel of Excellence, which comprised of 7 basic factors to maximize potential, whereas John Wooden's Pyramid of Success model comprised of 17 basic factors. The students determined that the two models lacked a few elements which they felt were vital to the overall development of talent, and hence they formed a third model of their own. Their new model consisted of the combination of both models, as well as their own insights. The students had observed that the two models lacked genetic and environmental factors such as family, friend and coaching support. They went on to extract the elements of the two models and reformulated them by making a complete model which included: commitment, confidence, desire, focused connection, genetics, ongoing learning, opportunity and support systems.

The concepts learned in class are each considered in the different models presented in the article. The third model, which is presented by the student researches contain all the different concepts such as personality, attitude, motivation, anxiety, confidence and concentration. The other models contained most of these elements but some were not clearly assessed and some were not included as part of the model.

In the Wheel of Excellence model, confidence is "the belief of one's own potential and the courage to overcome obstacles". Concentration or focused connection is the ability to connect with a task through total concentration. Motivation and attitude can both be part of the commitment aspect of the Wheel of Excellence as it is described as being "one's attempt to be the best he/she can be and doing everything possible to excel both mentally and physically". These concepts together are seen as the basic foundation of the wheel and are labeled as the "inner elements". Concentration also falls into Terry's category of distraction control, which is what enables one to "maintain focus when confronted with distractions or setbacks". However, it seems as though personality and anxiety are not taken into consideration as part of the wheel, although it is a very important concept that we have discussed in class.

In John Wooden's Pyramid of Success model, the concepts discussed in class are also well available within the model. For example, personality, motivation, and confidence are all part of his cornerstone concept of enthusiasm. He believes that friendship, loyalty and cooperation are all part of one's personality. The more fulfilling the personality, the greater success one will acquire because it is vital that not only an individual develops, but that the team develops as well. Concentration falls into Wooden's second level of the pyramid, which he labels intentness. Intentness is "the ability to concentrate on your objective, resist temptation, and be determined to reach your goal". Confidence is seen in Wooden's model as a separate entity from the others and he labels the category as poise and confidence. He states that confidence is a "belief in yourself to become the best you are capable of being. This concept of confidence is very similar to Terry Orlick's definition. Overall, in John's Wooden's Pyramid of Success model, it includes most of the concepts we have discussed in class, but lacks the element of anxiety and how that plays a role in talent development.

The new model, formulated by the research students, is a prime example of the full spectrum of elements that were discussed in class. This model does not lack any of the concepts that we had discussed in class and provides the bigger picture to overall talent development.

In this third model, confidence is defined as "one's internal resource to utilize his or her strengths to accomplish any task, whether physical or mental. It is also described as "unrelenting knowledge that one will success regardless of circumstances". In this model, it is the individual's attitudes and belief's, which determine his/her confidence levels.

Concentration falls into the category of focused connection and is seen as an aspect of the whole picture. For example, the new model suggests that concentration, distraction control and intentness are all important staying connected with the task at hand. Motivation is seen in the new model as a part of one's desire. It is essential that one has a certain amount of intrinsic motivation and passion in order to succeed. One's personality is seen as one's natural predisposed character traits. This falls under the category of genetics and postulates that one's natural traits can have an impact on overall talent development.

The Wheel of Excellence model is a great model to use if one is looking for the basic approaches to a more fulfilling life in sport. This model however, does lack certain elements such as genetics, one's personality and levels of anxiety. The basic principle to this model is to give power to the individual, coaches and parents to help change behaviour without taking genetics into consideration. The reason for this is because genetics is in essence, out of our control. I believe that this model is very effective because it gives the individual the power to control his/her destiny and it is very simple.

The Pyramid of Success model by John Wooden is yet again another great model to work with because it deals with a variety of elements for talent development. However, I find that it may be a bit too complex for some individual to