Share Your Talents

We all have different skills and abilities.  Not only can we impart knowledge when we teach others to do something, we improve our own skills when we dissect the process.  Elite athletes never forget to practice doing the basics well.  We can apply this lesson from them to other important skills.

It Takes Practice

It took a lot of practice to hone important skills that we use daily - reading, writing, math and interpersonal interactions.  It takes consistency to hone our interpersonal skills.  And continually absorbing new information and creating additional levels of expertise differentiates true leaders. 

We didn't learn to read Shakespeare in pre-k.

We didn't learn how to lead a company in our first corporate years.

When we were developing basic skills as a child, parents and teachers emphasized the importance and held us accountable.  As adults it is up to us to stretch ourselves for continued growth and relevancy. 

Cast Again

Try doing something different. You’ll remember how important preparation, practice, patience and persistence are to success.

I recently had a most remarkable time accompanying my husband and son on a fishing trip. They are both accomplished anglers. I am not. As I tried ineptly to process their instructions, I was vividly reminded that just because steps have been delivered by an expert, they have not necessarily been processed by a novice. When something is easy for us, we often incorrectly assume that we can tell someone how to do it and our job is finished. Reality proves that practice is the only way to improve a skill. My casting improved dramatically as I tried time after time.

They caught and released many fish during our two day trip. I caught a single fish each day. Casting, choosing baits, rigging lines, setting hooks and reeling in the catch were very natural for them. Each step was a new and awkward process for me. Fishing is an endeavor that clearly demonstrates that practice yields improved performance.

I’ve always considered myself an eternal optimist. As I caught a bit of their fishing fever, I realized that fishermen are truly optimists. Cast after cast, they always believe that the next fish may be a record.


All great fishermen know the importance of preparation, practice, patience and persistence. So do great business people.

Got to go cast/call again…