‘‘We could compare work teams to a music orchestra where a conductor’s institution is needed.’’
Carl Gustav Jung was the first to notice that people differ significantly in the way they receive and evaluate information.
People have differed from each other since a long time ago in the way of thinking and acting and each of them has prospered differently. Why some are smarter or more moral, and whether there is a trait that permanently predisposes them to these qualities. Some have claimed that these qualities have a strong physical basis and are therefore inevitable and unchanging. We talk about the genes today. Others pointed to large individual differences in the origin, experience, education and ways of learning. Already Alfred Binet, the author of IQ test, believed that education and practice could fundamentally change intelligence. However, several modern philosophers claim that the intelligence of the individual is given and could not be raised.
Who is right then? Let’s put a question whether it is possible to cultivate human qualities or they are given once and for all.
Researchers are finding that people have a higher capacity for lifelong learning and brain development than they ever thought. Every person has, of course, a unique genetic endowment. Initially, people may have different personalities and abilities, but it turns out that they are gradually influenced by experience, education and personal effort. I dare to agree with Robert Sternberg who states that the main factor influencing the achievement of a certain specialization ‘‘is not a predetermined ability but a purposeful activity.’’ In other words, as his predecessor Binet found out that in the end, the smartest are not those who were the smartest in the beginning.
Thinking is the highest cognitive process as it integrates all others. For the process of thinking, on the one hand, perception and imagination are necessary. On the other hand, it is closely connected with speech skills and it is also influenced by personal experience, intelligence, motivation, emotions etc.
In a diverse and ever-changing environment, unknown, new and problematic situations often occur and their solution is carried out through mental operations. These operations are constantly interwoven and thus form different aspects of thinking.
Carol Dweck states in her publication that for twenty years, her research has been proving that “the belief you embrace, strongly influences your way of life.” What did she mean?
You can decide whether you will become who you want to be and whether you will achieve what you care about. Your qualities are given once and for all – it is a so-called fixed mindset that leads to an urge to constantly prove something. Some of us have been brought up to this mindset since the early age.
“Will I succeed or not?”
Will they accept or reject me?
Will I look smart or stupid?”
… this fixed mindset was often imprinted in us by the teachers. Carol Dweck has seen a lot of people setting a challenging goal to prove themselves – in class, in their careers or in relationships. Every situation requires confirmation of their intelligence, personality or character.
Before introducing the second mindset, I would very simply state the following: “Personally, I prefer Montessori psychology-pedagogy to classical general one.”
(Note: Montessori is based on the idea that individuals are capable of their own development and they can reach their highest potential provided they are supported in the environment that is exactly tailored to their needs in each phase of their development.)
I really got to like the phrase that I also use in my practice “Learning by doing”, i.e., learning through practical action.
Did you know that Darwin and Tolstoy were considered ordinary children? Beg Hogan, one of the best golf players of all time, was absolutely uncoordinated and clumsy as a child? This shows us how the belief that rare qualities can be developed can encourage our passion for learning. The so-called growth mindset is based on the belief that you can cultivate your own basic qualities by your own effort. People can differ in all possible initial talents and abilities, interests and temperaments. However, everyone can change thanks to their effort and experience.
Everyone has a talent.
“Everyone is a bearer of specific talents and abilities. Some characteristics are already innate, we acquire others. However, the talent itself is far from enough unless we invest enough time and energy in its development.”
Matching the talent with tasks gives you a competitive advantage. Every individual in the society can make the best use of their talent, whatever it is.
Talent Management can become a global philosophy which is a key part of supporting each of the elements of a company´s business strategy. Talent management enables company managers to engage and motivate employees throughout the organization.
Talent management is an ongoing process that involves attracting and retaining high-quality employees, developing their skills and constantly motivating them to improve their performance.
Talent management naturally includes many HR responsibilities. However, it is not enough to expect that you manage a talent just because you have a human resources department. To achieve optimal results, you need to have an established talent management strategy designed exactly for your company.