This article is part of a series on Giftedness. Before proceeding, read the preceding articles:-
3. Harnessing Potential of Gifted Individuals
Introduction
The gifted community forms about 2% of the population. Given their scarce numbers and unique characteristics, one of their greatest challenges is gaining understanding and acceptance from the rest of the population, which forms the majority. As most communities have little or no information on giftedness, gifted people are expected to conform and move with the crowd rather than express their real self. Placing such demands on them is unfair and ill-informed as it hinders expression of their gifts. When expression of their true self is hampered, they devise means of coping. Either by hiding their gifts (leads to underperformance due to lack of motivation) or they become confrontational and argumentative (leads to bitter & toxic relationships with family, friends, co-workers, spouses, bosses etc.)
Harnessing potential of the gifted individuals lies in;
(1) Building their identity and
(2) Creating enabling environment that stimulates their brain power and supports expression of their gifts.
Gifted Individual
1. Build your identity – this can be achieved through self-knowledge. Everyday challenge of gifted people is dealing with – ‘opinions-of-majority’ expressing how weird they find their actions and ideas. If not well-versed with ins and outs of giftedness, gifted persons can become overly self-conscious, lose their self-confidence and develop serious identity crisis. Learning about giftedness – its pros and cons is a great way of promoting self-knowledge, which then aids in building positive self image.
Seek to understand the unique characteristics and challenges of giftedness in different set-ups e.g. at school, in the workplace, at home, in social set-ups etc. This knowledge is enlightening & empowering and a means of self-reflection – it’s like seeing your image in a mirror. Furthermore, this exercise helps in bringing out your real identity making it easier to link your potential with your purpose.
Society
2. Create an enabling environment that stimulates their brain power and supports expression of their gifts – potential is locked in the brain and requires an enabling environment to crystallize. Such environment can be created through; understanding, kindness and support in nurturing their gifts and talents. Again knowledge of characteristics and challenges of giftedness is required so as to achieve this.
- Focus On Developing Strengths and Abilities
One distinguishing trait in gifted individuals is their intense nature, which reflects not only in their strengths but in weaknesses as well. For lack of information on giftedness, people tend to dwell on their weaknesses at the expense of their strengths and this leads to poor self-image, depression and lack of motivation. If this persists for a long time, development is hampered and retardation begins. At this point we talk of the gift turning against its owner. To revert or prevent this from happening, special focus should be placed on developing their strengths and abilities. Nevertheless, correct approach should also be adopted to help improve their weaknesses.
Below are examples of strengths and qualities of gifted individuals and how to capitalize on them
- Massive potential – to translate their massive potential into success, gifted individuals need the right motivation. Generally, praise, gifts and bonuses do not motivate the gifted, but instead complex activities are known to motivate them so they need complex and challenging experiences (especially in their area of interest) to utilize/crystallize their brain power.
- Multi-talented – focus on developing the most conspicuous gift first and let others fall into place later.
- Independent – refrain from pushing them but instead guide them using action-damage/benefit-illustration approach; they’re smart enough to figure out the outcome of their actions.
- Non-conformist – gifted individuals form only 2% of the entire population, so don’t expect them to fit into what is popular because they’re widely unique – that would be placing a limit on their potential. Instead let them explore the world at their most optimal level. It’s the only way they can become productive and fulfilled.
- Fast-intense-passion – these three words summarize handful characteristics of a gifted person. Refrain from telling them to slow down or tone down. Persisting in getting on their way can be very inhibiting. Worse still if this comes from a person whom they look up to for support, then it can be very damaging. Given the small percentage of gifted people chances are he/she could be the first unique close relation you’re seeing, so appreciate their difference and let them be.
- Asynchronous development – some gifted individuals may register unbalanced growth spiritually/intellectually/emotionally/socially. This mostly happens when expression of giftedness is hindered. Instead of picking on the gifted person when you note retarded growth in a particular area of their life, support and motivate them to develop their strengths and potential. With understanding and appreciation their strengths can overpower & reverse retardation and cause development to normalize.
In summary, focusing on developing their strengths and potential gives them a sense of belonging and acceptance. In return, they gain high self-esteem and become highly motivated; these two are the most important essentials for unlocking brainpower and transforming potential into success.
Conclusion
As earlier stated, potential lies in the brain; therefore to harness it we need to unlock their brain power and let them soar to their highest height possible.
For gifted children – at school and at home – teach or relate with them using an approach that stimulates their intellectual abilities – methods or activities that involve creativity, critical thinking etc. The objective is to subject the brain to intense mental exercise that will get every bit of it into action mode.
For gifted adults – the most ideal careers for adults are those that have high degree of autonomy and involve problem solving, advisory, intensive research, innovation, creativity etc. Basically, they fit in demanding and non-routine careers that keep their brain pacing for solutions and how-to’s. Self-employment is also a good alternative.
Series
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