Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else.

• Author: Marshall, Jeffrey
• Position: Brief article - Book review

Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else. By Geoff Colvin. Portfolio, 228 pages. $25.95.

Can talent really be over-rated? Name the greatest sports figures in history, and all had remarkable talent that usually separated them from their peers. Same with classical music or dance. While the same rules don't apply in the business world, it's hard to argue that top executives don't have first-rate talent, whether that's in intellect, vision, leadership skills or some combination of each.

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Colvin, a senior editor at Fortune, argues while talent is important, phenomenal success requires something more (and not just hard work). He calls this concept deliberate practice, and sprinkles examples throughout the book from the business, cultural and sports worlds--names like golf pro Tiger Woods, General Electric Co. CEO Jeff Immelt and Microsoft Corp.'s chief Steve Ballmer.

Face it, Colvin...