Talents are your natural gifts. They feel easy to you and rare to others.
Skills/competencies are learned. You gain them through study, practice, and feedback.
Both matter. But the order matters more: discover the talent → build the skills that support it.
When you work against your nature, effort drains you. When you build skills around your talent, effort energizes you—and your impact grows. Alignment creates progress you can feel: clearer decisions, steadier motivation, and work that actually fits.
Many capable people can’t name a single talent—especially under stress. If that’s you, try two quick checks:
Ask trusted people: “When you call me for help, what do you expect me to do well?”
Notice recurring requests: The help people seek from you often points to your talent.
Chasing in-demand skills without honoring your core talent leads to misfit careers. The path that lasts is the reverse: name your talent, then intentionally acquire the skills that let it shine (communication, teaching, design, analysis—whatever your talent needs).
Name one talent you suspect you have (e.g., “I naturally inspire people,” “I simplify complex ideas,” “I calm tense situations”).
List 3 supporting skills that would make that talent effective (e.g., public speaking, facilitation, writing clear explanations, conflict mediation).
Pick one micro-upgrade you can do this week (≤15 minutes): watch a tutorial, practice a two-minute explanation, ask for feedback on one conversation, record a 60-second talk.
Schedule the reps (same time, 5 days). Small, consistent practice beats occasional intensity.
Track the signal: After each rep, one sentence—what improved, what to repeat.
Why this works: You keep the talent (innate) and upgrade the strategy (learned). Skills turn potential into results without fighting your nature.
Which requests from others hint at your signature talent?
What single skill, if improved, would most amplify that talent?
Where are you learning skills that don’t fit who you are—and what will you stop or renegotiate?
Start with talent. Then invest in the skills that express it. Alignment makes effort feel meaningful—and that’s a direct path to feeling and functioning better.
— Sandro Formica, PhD
Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])
Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program
Happiness Fundamentals | Needs | Values | Talents & Skills | Thoughts & Beliefs | Emotions | Empathetic Communication | Imagination | Life Purpose | Life Plan
