The New York Times recently weighed in with "For the Best of The Best, Determination Outweighs Nature and Nuture". The author, Alina Tugend, cites examples of current thought from science, genetics and psychology that question the notion that DNA is the major determinant in talent.
"Most of us are far from our potential," said Angela Duckworth, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. "The prevailing wisdom, for much of the last century, has been that talent is the most important determinant of achievement. Our focus in the next millennium is turning to all those things that unlock talent, including grit, self-discipline and confidence."
It turns out the old joke is true:
Question: "How do I get to Carnegie Hall"?
Answer: "Practice, Practice, Practice..."
Of the many sources quoted in Tugend's article; one book caught my eye, "The Genius in All of Us." By David Shenk.
Often I say, "Whatever got you to where you are today will not be sufficient to keep you there." I have used it for so long now, that I am not certain where I read it or heard it, but it always resonates and is a great way to get people thinking about what they are doing and why. Shenk's book did this for me.
The book's subtitle states, "Why Everything You've been told about Genetics, Talent and IQ is wrong." His research attacks the fundamental premise of "Genetics + Environment" and explains why it is "Genetics X Environment."
It you're raising children, leading a team or developing your own skills you have certainly questioned the issue of talent or innate ability. In the 90's we had "The Bell Curve" a book, which reinforced the concept of "Genes dictate. Genes instruct. Genes determine." This was the prevailing understanding of the influence of genetics in the 20th century.
In the last fifteen years science has refuted much that was believed. Shenk writes, "...we can come up with a more accurate metaphor. Rather than finished blueprints, genes are more like volume knobs and switches. Think of a giant control board inside every cell of your body."
Yes, Genetics X Environment, what you do as a parent, as a coach, as a leader can influence talent and results. You can turn up the volume, push the controls and influence...even change the DNA. I recall a scene in "Pumping Iron" where Arnold Schwarzenegger explains how he developed his body by looking in the mirror and thinking he needed a little more size and shape to his delts, then he would go in the gym and work with those exercises that sculpted his body-he actually changed his DNA by how he thought and trained.
Scientist have a term that explains this called "deliberate practice." It's what Ted Williams, Michael Jordon, and Apolo Ohno did. It requires training or practicing to failure and then pushing beyond that point. It's why athletes have a 47% success rate on "Dancing with the Stars". They are not "natural dancers". Many state they never danced before. Why are they successful? They understand "deliberate practice"; they fail and continue to work past the failure. They persist, they persevere, they PRACTICE, they listen and heed the feedback from their coach (the professional dance partner).
What motivates one to practice and persevere to such an extent? Michael Jordon was cut from his high school JV basketball team. The rest is history.
In 1831, he failed in business. He was defeated for the legislature in 1832. In 1833, he ventured into the business world again, and again he did not succeed. In 1834, he was elected to the state legislature. In 1838, he was defeated for speaker; in 1840, he was defeated for elector; in 1844, he lost a race for a Congressional seat. In 1846, he gained a seat in Congress, only to lose it in 1848. He ran for the Senate in 1855, but lost; in 1856, he ran for Vice President but did not win. In 1858, he ran for the Senate again, and again he was defeated. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States of America.
My father-in-law, Cliff Merrill always said, "Success requires two things...knowing what you want and how much you are willing to pay to get it." What triggers motivation varies greatly. It can be anger, revenge, adversity, inspiration or trauma--something lights a fire within you. What "you are willing to pay" is the dedication, sweat, hard work, sacrifice, energy and time you devote to achieve your goal. The positive news from the world of science is that if you decide to pursue your dreams you control your own destiny more then we ever imagined.
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