The limits of ability

Once there was a college running back who everyone agreed had the ability to be the best. He was drafted early by the pros. Sadly, he never really performed up to expectations. His coach finally released him in favor of a player who had much less ability. 

Asked how he could do such a thing, the coach said the decision had been relatively simple; "That man has all the ability in the world, but the player I kept has all the touchdowns."

No matter what your abilities, use them to their fullest. Invest wisely in activities, projects, people and life, and you will find them multiplying.

"You are the only person on Earth who can use your ability," said Zig Ziglar, author, salesman and motivational speaker. 

A major league baseball manager agreed, saying ability is a crazy thing. It's fun to talk about it and beautiful to see it in action, but hardly anybody really understands it. People think it's something a player keeps in his equipment bag and puts on as he does his uniform. But a true professional knows that isn't true. He knows his ability isn't real unless he is actually on the field demonstrating it.

My dear friend, football coach extraordinaire Lou Holtz, put it this way: "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Employees can showcase their abilities in several ways that align with the ideas shared in the context. Here are some effective strategies.

• Actively participate in performance reviews by highlighting your achievements and discussing areas where you excel. Be proactive in identifying skills you wish to develop further.

• Contribute innovative ideas through suggestion boxes or similar platforms. This not only demonstrates creativity but also shows initiative and a willingness to improve the organization.

• When new projects arise, volunteer to take on roles that allow you to utilize and showcase your unique skills. This can demonstrate your versatility and eagerness to contribute beyond your usual responsibilities.

• Look for opportunities to share talents that may not be immediately relevant to your job but can add value. For example, using creative skills to enhance presentations or team activities.

• Engage with colleagues from different departments to build relationships and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively, which can highlight your interpersonal skills and adaptability.

• Explore classes or training opportunities to further develop your skills or learn new ones. Diversifying your array of abilities may demonstrate your resourcefulness and willingness to use all your abilities, even those that may not have been immediately apparent.  

The ability to recognize ability is incredibly important, especially in management and leadership roles. Hiring someone based on their skills and expertise rather than just their personality can significantly impact a company's success.

Recognizing ability means identifying the unique talents and strengths that individuals bring to the table. This skill allows leaders to build strong, effective teams and ensure that the right people are in the right roles. It also involves seeing potential in individuals who may not fit the typical mold but have the capability to excel in their positions.

I once hired a CFO because of his exceptional fiscal know-how, despite the fact that he was not a people person. His ability to manage finances effectively made him invaluable to our company for 25 years. Above all else, I look for people who can do the job. It's more of a talent show than a congeniality contest.

A friend of mine told me that he had an employee who was known for his incredible ability to solve complex problems. However, he had a unique quirk — he would always solve these problems while balancing on a yoga ball. One day, during a particularly challenging project, the team was stuck on a technical issue. The problem-solver rolled in on his yoga ball, bouncing gently as he pondered the problem.

After a few moments of bouncing and thinking, he exclaimed, "I've got it!" and proceeded to explain the solution. The team was amazed, not just by his ability to solve the problem, but by the fact that he did it while maintaining perfect balance on that yoga ball.

From then on, whenever a problem seemed insurmountable, someone would jokingly suggest, "Quick, get the yoga ball!" It became a light-hearted reminder that sometimes, ability comes in the most unexpected forms.

Sometimes, the key to unlocking ability is finding your own unique balance.

Mackay's Moral: The ability to recognize ability is the most important ability.

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Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing [email protected] or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.