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Does “Preparation Make Up for Lack of Talent?”

I have been pondering this thought since yesterday. "Preparation Makes Up for Lack of Talent" One of our Branch Managers used that saying, and it has stayed with me since our conversation. This particular manager used that saying while interviewing new licensees, but think about it, and you can come up with examples for and against the statement.

You can certainly come with examples for it in recruiting. I know recruiting does not come naturally to a lot of people. It's not something that people generally think about, but recruiting is a skill that can be developed through preparation. If you take the time to research your prospects, chat with people that know them, and then contact them, your chances of recruiting that prospect are higher than if you just cold called them and asked if they want to join your office.

If someone is interested in a career in real estate, and walks into your office unprepared to do business, (not yet licensed, no idea of who their prospects will be) but has a natural talent for sales, chances are you will wait until they pass their exam and count the days until they join your office. If another person walks in, and is prepared (licensed) and has a list of prospects that they can expect to have business from within the next 60 days, but lacks a natural talent, you should be equally eager to hire them as the first person.

They will make up for their lack of natural talent with preparation and follow through.

Preparation may also make up for talent in other situations. Maybe it's a listing presentation, a public speaking engagement, or any other meeting. I'm not saying that without a talent for public speaking, anyone can stand up and do a presentation for 200 people, but if someone takes the time to prepare, they will do much better than if they lacked talent AND preparation.

Posted by Allison Werner on 10/03/2007 04:24 PM

Comments (13)

career in real estate, recruiting, prospect

13 Comments on Does “Preparation Make Up for Lack of Talent?”

OCT

2007

With preparation,persperation, and determination you can do anything.

Allison,

Prep work does help out in case of lack of talent. We generally know what are we good at and where we need little more work. Even talented people, say in public speaking, still prep for a presentation. It just makes them that much better.

Preparation is the key. Think about it from this point of view. Tiger woods is talented. But he is the best golfer in the world because he practices and prepares better than anyone else. Tony Gwynn is in the Hall of Fame because he was talented. But he was not the most skilled. He prepared and worked hard everyday to improve behind the scenes so that when he was on the field he was ready for anything. I'll take a less talented but more prepared agent everytime over a talented unprepared (lazy) agent.

I think that if a person has the strong will to want something bad enough, they will use whatever talents or preparation that they can, to accomplish their goal. Drive is good to have!

I believe in being prepared. The more you know about anything, the better. If you have prepared yourself well enough, you can fake talent until you develop it. I also believe you can acquire talent if you work for it.

Gosh - that's a good question. Based on past experiences, I'd go more with the preparation. In today's world, the preparation legally is crucial.

Hi Allison,

Not to sound old school, but it has been a tried a true statement of the Boy Scouts of America for years....Be Prepared. They must of known it would work for so many years.

Dick Beals

OCT

2007

Hi Maria- Such true words. I have heard the "preparation, perspiration and determination" before, but had never equated it with "makes up for lack of talent". Thank you for making the connection!

Hi Esko- You make a great point, that even talented people get better with preparation, thank you!

Hi Jason- Agreed, you can get to the top with talent, but those who stay on top are also prepared. Thank you for your comment!

Hi Frances- Drive is important, since preparation without the will to succeed won't get you very far either. Thank you for your input!

Hi Sarah!- I agree, work hard enough, and prepare, and you can fake talent until you acquire it. With that strategy though you also have to have the confidence. Thank you for stopping by!

Hi Joan- Another great point "legally crucial", especially in this industry. Thank you for bringing that up.

Hi Dick- That doesn't sound "old school" to me, it makes sense! No wonder it still works. Thank you for stopping in!

OCT

2007

Didn't Abe Lincoln say ... "I will prepare and one day my chance will come." He prepared his whole life and he overcame a great number of failures. Nice article. I enjoyed reading your blog :)

OCT

2007

Thank you Andrew :)

Allison, you can fake confidence, too! :o)!!

OCT

2007

Allison - this is so true, especially good advice for new agents. But it is also true in many other aspects of life. Also, I did a presentation a few weeks ago in front of about 150 people that I thought I just did terrible with it, but yet I was prepared. Evidently, I was not as bad as I thought and my preparation made up for my lack of talent as a public speaker, because I have gotten some responses from it. Good luck!

OCT

2007

Hi Dale, Great example of the post! I am also my own worst critic, and often get positive feedback and responses, even though I think I have made a terrible impression, but if you prepare, you are less likely to be caught off guard!

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