“The Talent Coach,” a novel just released by Frederick Mordi, is an inspiring and informative book that explores, using stories, how talent is developed. Mordi takes a deep dive into the world of talent and how it is cultivated, challenging the idea that talent is solely innate and predetermined. He draws out the fact that both nature and nurture have a role to play in shaping talent.
The book, which is a cross between self-help and fiction, is a comprehensive guide that offers practical advice and insights on how to unlock and harness one’s natural abilities. Mordi’s book has 208 pages and it is divided into 12 chapters, each of which addresses a different segment of the talent development spectrum. The book is published by New Africa Book Publishers (NABP), and it is loaded with interesting concepts such as Locational Leverage—a coinage of the author—Icarus Paradox, and Adversity Quotient.
The first chapter, “Everybody Has Talent,” sets the tone for the entire book, emphasising that everyone has unique talents that can be developed with effort and dedication.
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In chapter three, the theme is “Remain in Your Field.” The quote by Sydney Smith aptly captures this idea – “Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed.” It leads to a profound question, would Kanu Nwankwo, one of Nigeria’s most successful footballers, have achieved as much success as a boxer? Debatable.
He makes this point strongly, “you can start as a generalist but make sure you become a specialist.” So, there is nothing wrong with learning several skills, but be sure to be an expert in at least one of them.
In subsequent chapters, Mordi delves deeper into various aspects of talent development, such as the nature versus nurture debate, the importance of remaining in one’s field, and the challenges that talented people face, including the Icarus Paradox. He also offers guidance on how to develop the right skills through practice, and how to overcome barriers to success such as the impostor syndrome and adversity.
One of the standout chapters is “Do You Have The X-Factor?” Here, Mordi explains that talent alone is not enough to achieve success and that it is essential to possess the right attitude, mindset, and work ethic. He also provides a valuable framework for assessing one’s strengths and weaknesses, and for identifying areas for improvement.
Throughout the book, Mordi uses real-world examples of successful individuals who have achieved greatness through deliberate practice, including athletes, musicians, and artists. He also draws upon psychology and the writings of renowned leaders to explain the processes involved in talent development. He argues that the accumulation of academic laurels may not necessarily guarantee material wealth, which some people often believe is one of the surest indices of measuring success in life.
On how to know your true talent, he posits, “Think of what you can do with relative ease, or what you can do better than anybody else, for instance, in your place of work, while exerting little or no effort. It could be a subject that you master easily or a game that you always excel in—that may be where your talent lies.”
He describes talent as a gift one possesses that enables one to carry out a task with minimal exertion, to produce outstanding results. One of the key takeaway from the book is that when a talented person is doing what he is gifted at, he enjoys doing it no matter the circumstances.
“The Talent Coach” is an excellent guide for anyone looking to develop their talent and achieve their goals. It is well-written, practical, and inspiring, and it offers valuable insights that will benefit anyone who reads it.
The book offers a wealth of knowledge and practical exercises to help readers develop their skills and talents. One of the book’s strengths is its emphasis on the importance of attitude and mindset in achieving success.
Mordi encourages readers to adopt a growth mindset and cultivate a positive outlook on life, which he argues is essential for achieving one’s goals. The book also provides readers with valuable frameworks for assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies areas for improvement. This is particularly useful for those hoping to develop their skills in a specific field or to take on a new challenge.
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The writing style of the book is engaging and easy to follow, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of readers. Mordi’s use of storytelling, humour, and personal anecdotes, adds depth and relatability to the content, making it all the more inspiring. Another key strength of the book is its commendable use of dialogue. This further makes it a reading pleasure. However, the greatest strength of the book is the central character, Dr Joe Jordan, who is a powerful orator, a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge, and a talent coach, just to cite a few of his credentials.
“The Talent Coach” is a must-read for anyone interested in talent development, whether for personal growth, or professional advancement. It challenges traditional notions of talent and provides practical advice and strategies for achieving greatness through deliberate practice and hard work.
“The Talent Coach” closes with a workbook section designed to help readers discover and develop their hidden talent. The author asserts that if readers honestly answer the questions in the workbook, it can help them take a reality check and become a better version of themselves.
Overall, “The Talent Coach” is an engaging and inspiring novel that is sure to resonate with readers. With its practical advice, real-world examples, and interactive exercises, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to develop their talents and achieve their dreams.
With the “The Talent Coach,” you can truly unleash your potential.
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