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Book's Description
Leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell knows that people are never successful by talent alone, and in this book he outlines the 13 crucial things you can do to maximize your natural talents and become a "Talent-plus" person.
Customer Reviews
Challenge Your Excuses ,05/02/2008
PTSD: Pathways Through the Secret Door
John C. Maxwell has some of the greatest communication skills I have ever encountered. His books read like soundbites and the simplicity is amazing. So many things jumped out at me from Talent Is Never Enough. My Favorite one is "Challenge Your Excuses". I finished more projects in a day than I usually do in 3 days, just from this one excerpt.
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Find Your Highest Potential and Build on It ,23/10/2007
While the media likes to portray success as effortless, the reality is far different. Blood, sweat, and tears often accompany accomplishment.
Dr. Maxwell does two unexpected things in this book that make it a valuable contribution to the success literature:
1. He points out that you may not know what your areas of greatest talent are and provides way to check out your thinking.
2. He provides many examples that powerfully reinforce the point that it's hard to succeed without talent . . . or without developing a potential talent. The negative examples are very telling and powerful.
He also does one expected thing that's very helpful: He encourages you to test your thinking with those who know you well. It's hard to see yourself objectively so that's very good advice.
Once you have focused in on an area where you have potential to develop talent, he offers 13 principles to emphasize which I have rephrased below:
1. Believe you will succeed.
2. Pursue your passions with your talent.
3. Take action rather than wait for the right moment.
4. Be focused.
5. Continually practice and improve.
6. Be prepared for the challenge before using your talent.
7. Never give up.
8. Build and rely on courage in facing challenges.
9. Be open to suggestions.
10. Honor what's right.
11. Build relationships with those you love, those you want to serve, and those whose help you need.
12. Be responsible in employing your talent.
13. Be a good team player.
The most useful parts of the book come in the application exercises that accompany each of the 13 points. If you didn't read the book but did those exercises, you would gain most of the benefit of this book. So do those exercises!
Bravo, Dr. Maxwell.
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Great Book ,21/05/2007
This book is great especially for those who may feel that they can solely get by on just talent. The book is well written and details what how important it is not to just rely on the talent you have.
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I'm fired up!!! ,11/03/2008
This book is fantastic! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The author kept my interest as I learned some life points that I'll never forget. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to become a better person all-around. If you want to become a "talent plus person" this book is for you. Now, I plan to purchase the study guide so that I'll be able to draw even more out of this book and myself.
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One of the best books read ,12/11/2007
John Maxwell usually delivers a very clear message,full of energy, motivation, insights. This time he outrun himselfs: to the point, focused, great ideas, extremly motivational and action oriented. I bought it for my self and I intend to give it as a gift to my 16th year old son. Great book.
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Awesome Insight ,23/03/2008
This book forces you to examine your character more than your talent. It offers concrete information with great examples.
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How to become a "talent plus person" ,10/11/2008
I have read and then reviewed most of John Maxwell's previously published books and on occasion I became concerned that he was merely recycling some of the same core concepts he first examined years ago. In this volume, he asserts that "talent is never enough." If it were, "then the most effective and influential people would always be the most talented ones but that is often not the case...Clearly talent isn't everything." That said, he hastens to add, talent is worthy off our admiration and must be perceived in the proper perspective. For Maxwell, it is "a God-given gift." For others who do not share his faith, it is nonetheless usually referred to as a "natural" as opposed to an acquired capability. All human beings possess talent but differ in terms of number, nature, and extent of what Maxwell calls "giftedness." The challenge is to maximize one's talents. In this context, I am reminded of Darrell Royal's suggestion that "potential" means "you ain't done it yet."
Maxwell has identified thirteen key choices that can be made to maximize one's talent. None is a head-snapping revelation, nor does he make any such claim. "Make these choices, and you can become a talent-plus person. If you have talent, you stand alone. If you have talent plus, you stand out." He devotes a separate chapter to each of the thirteen. Once again, as in most of his earlier works, he includes a number of especially apt quotations from what must be a substantial collection of what he has accumulated from various sources thus far. He also includes at the conclusion of each chapter a set of "Application Exercises." Maxwell fully understands that sustaining self-improvement initiatives involves a process, an extended journey, one that requires a compass, a map, and sufficient resources once begun. He is convinced (and I agree) that specificity is imperative: Goals must be written down, frequently reviewed, and when appropriate revised. Self-improvement must be results-d
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Talent is Never Enough ,20/07/2008
This book is truly highly motivational in moving ourselves beyond what we believe are our talents and gifts. I really feel much can be gained from reading this phenomenal book.
John C. Maxwell truly has a gift with words and speaks from the heart. This is definitely highly recommended.
God bless you all.
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Personal MBA Must Read ,08/05/2007
John Maxwell has been the author of many self help books, allot of which I have read. Contrary to what the title may imply, this is not a book that disses talent but rather how to make it stand out. It doesn't matter what you talent is (he states that we all a particular talent) computers, art, writing, dealing with difficult people or whatever John is very motivating in helping us to understand why our talent alone is not enough and what we can do to stand out without having to sit back down.
In this book he describes the 12 [laws] of making your talent a success. None of this is rocket science but merely common sense that we as busy people have a tendancy to forget about or simply ignore.
Reading this book along with the likes of The Secret (Rhonda Byrne) or Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes (John Maxwell) has made for a significant change in my life for the better. I feel better about who I am and as John states in this book the type of person that I want to be.
Do you want to be a better person or stand out in a sea of talent? Then use this book as an aid to reaching your success.
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BLUEPRINT FOR THE TALENTED PLUS PERSON ,27/11/2007
As a college professor and talented individual, I must say, this is a very powerful, transfomative book. It contains interesting stories that contextualize the overall theme and message which John C. Maxwell makes very clear: Talent is NEVER enough - especially in the absence discipline, character, integrity, and perhaps most importantly, the 13 key choices that must be taken to maximize it. It also contains invaluable and introspective exercises that are designed to assist you in developing a healthy perspective and a winning attitude that will help you make full use of your talent - no matter what you do, or aspire to do professionally. This book should be required reading for all talented individuals who want to become talent plus people.
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Think big - Act bold ,09/11/2007
Dr. John C. Maxwell is America's #1 leadership expert according to Harvard University and when you read through this book you will see why so many leaders count on the insight and wisdom of this gifted teacher. In "Talent is never enough" you will learn to move past your fears and move toward your gifting to achieve greater success.
I've seen many talented people fail because they didn't have a coach to guide them toward reaching their potential. You already have natural talent, because everyone does, however, with John as your personal 'success coach' you will learn to leverage your talent to build on your strengths and experience greater results in every area of life. If you want to move past simply talking about your potential to actually living it, then this is the book for you.
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Another inspirational book with mostly stories ,07/07/2008
I hate to sound harsh but I found this to be just another book with stories and examples to make the reader feel good. The author tells the reader if you aren't motivated then others can't motivate you and yet that is the underlying premise of this whole book. Would not recommend to anyone serious about wanting insight to leadership, coaching or anything near the two.
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enlightening ,12/05/2007
Gives an outstanding insight into a topic that most people never truly understand. An incredible point of view mixed with great quotes and interesting stories.
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great book ,16/02/2008
Was a great encouraging book, when you feel like you just aren't good enough. Easy read, with lots of typical John Maxwell one liners.
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Life Changing book for those who have raw talent ,06/08/2007
I have just finished one of the greatest books written for people with talent by John Maxwell. "Talent is never enough." I want to encourage all of you to read this book. This has been one of the best reads of my life. Here is a great quote and then a summary of the 13 areas that add to our talent.
I challenge each of you to do this exercise, it will build the team you are a part of. "For the next two weeks, make a commitment to yourself to take no credit for anything that goes right. Praise your employees, co-workers, colleagues, and family members for their contributions. Note the difference it makes in their performance and your relationship with them. I believe that once you've tired it, you will enjoy giving the credit away so much that it will become a regular part of your life."
1. Belief lifts my talent.
2. Passion energizes my talent.
3. Initiative activates my talent
4. Focus directs my talent.
5. Preparation positions my talent.
6. Practice sharpens my talent.
7. Perseverance sustains my talent.
8. Courage tests my talent.
9. Teachability expands my talent.
10. Character protects my talent.
11. Relationships influence my talent.
12. Responsibility strengthens my talent.
13. Teamwork multiplies my talent.
As a team, my hope is that we can help each other grow to new heights daily. Adopt one of these and work on them daily. For me, courage and Perseverance have been a weakness of mine, however, after reading this book I feel like these two weaknesses will turn into great strengths.
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Talent is Neve Enough ,17/03/2008
This is a must read for everyone regardless of vocation or lifestyle. Reccommended to me by Jim Tressel of Ohio State University, and I have studied it like a college text book. As an educator and an advocate for youth, it has significantly affected me and the way I conduct my profession. Read this, it will be one of the best choices you'll ever make, and it takes no talent to do it!
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This book is a good choice ,14/05/2007
John Maxwell has written dozens of books, and I was told by a friend who follows the author that this might be his best. Strong praise for someone who has written some great books.
I was not disappointed. While I have only read two other books by Mr. Maxwell, this one is fantastic. It was inspiring and motivational and is the type of book that couples advice with actions steps.
I keep a list of all books I read each year. Those that are exceptional get a star next to them. Talent Is Never Enough got two stars.
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Strength Approach Fans ,23/08/2007
Not so many "management gurus" believe in "strength approach" like John C Maxwell and even some of his ways are included in the Cliffton's Talents,this book show us the ways how to use our Talents.
If you can change your paradigm from Deficit Approach to Strength Approach, which is more productive, more simple and better communication, I recomend you to read this book.
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Book for maximizing your Ability and Opportunity for Success ,29/04/2008
Globalization is quickening and will continue to have an increasing impact on your professional career. With globalization there will never be a shortage of Talent. Having the best talents and proven capabilities is not enough anymore. As the author puts it, we need to become "Talent-plus" person. If you do, you will add value to yourself, add value to others and accomplish more than you dreamed was possible.
This is an excellent book that can be applied in the real world. As an IT Project Manager, I was able to apply the learnings from the section on Teamwork to inspire my project team.
Other books on the same subject seemed very philosophical "common sense" with no practical actionable take aways. This book, however, explains things in very analytical format with examples that I could relate to, both personally & professionally. Recommended!
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More than Potential ,01/05/2007
Talent is Never Enough.
John C. Maxwell has a wonderful book entitled, Talent is Never Enough. Maxwell outlines thirteen characteristics which must be coupled with intelligence and talent in order to reach long-term success.
Belief. Passion. Initiative. Focus. Preparation. Practice. Perserverance. Courage. Teachability. Character. Relationships. Responsibility. Teamwork.
"You see, people who neglect to make the right choices to release and maximize their talent continually underperform. Their talent allows them to stand out, but their wrong choices make them sit down. Their friends, families, coaches and bosses see their giftedness, but they wonder why they so often come up short of expectations. Their talent gives them oppotunity, but their wrong choices shut the door. Talent is a given, but you must earn success."
Ironically, there is a difference between underperformance and failure. Failure is actually a crucial part of long-term success. Underperformance is not. Maxwell mentions, "there are two kinds of people in this world: those who want to get things done and those who don't want to make mistakes." Believe in your talent. Passionately persue your talents. Initiate your dreams. And then learn from your mistakes.
"One of the paradoxes of life is that the things that initially make you sucessful are rarely the things that keep you successful." This sentence is the premise and outline, the underlying message that sows the bound book together. Focus on your stregnths, never mistake fear for lack of preparation, practice, no rehearse each day as if it is your only opportunity.
The most important section of Talent is Never Enough, is probably the section on Teachability. Too often talent comes with egos, and egos equipt with pride. Egoism and pride are often the strongest bariers to success. If a person can humble herself to learn from every person in their life, eve
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