Several years ago I had a high performer on my team. One of the best out of 12 people on a team that truly dominated. This person was highly skilled, a hard worker, and picked things up easily. He listened and was able to quickly put my "coaching" into practice.
But I could see this high-achiever had higher potential in an unrelated arena.
It was a risk, though. This person was successful. They improved and continued getting better at what they were doing. Changing course would require hard work, dedication, and a different mindset.
But I could see there might be a greater reward.
Long story short. I talked to the boy’s mom. Pulled her aside after my team’s age 9-11 parks and rec soccer practice one day and told her I thought her son, as good as he was on the pitch, had a brighter future in running cross country and track.
I had ran cross country and track in high school, college, and for a Nike team after college. I competed in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in the steeplechase. I could see the potential just from watching him run on the soccer field.
Fast forward several years later when he was competing at the Division I level in cross country and track for the College of William & Mary. Credit to him because with hard work, grit, and the confidence to try something new, he fulfilled what I saw in him.
I was thinking about this in today’s job-hunting climate. So many of us have the skills, the experience, the grit, and other tangibles to do great work for companies.
If only they could see it.