Beyond Talent: Become Someone Who Gets Extraordinary Results

by John C. Maxwell

Some talented people reach their full potential, while others self-destruct or remain trapped in mediocrity. What makes the difference? Author John C. Maxwell, the go-to guru for business professionals across the globe, insists that the choices people make--not merely the skills they inherit--propel them to greatness. In other words: if you really want to make an impact in your organization, it’s the skills that take you beyond talent that matter most. In Beyond Talent, Maxwell shares thirteen attributes to add to your talent to maximize your potential and live the life of your dreams. Among other truths, readers will learn: belief lifts your talent; initiative activates your talent; focus directs your talent; preparation positions your talent; practice sharpens your talent; perseverance sustains your talent; and character protects your talent.You can have talent alone--but you’ll inevitably fall short of your potential. Beyond Talent teaches you how to really stand out.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Productivity, Inspirational, Personal Growth

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2011

About the author

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Reviews

[Akho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous book that I am going to read annually. I love that it is so engaging with the application exercises at the end of each topic.

Most importantly it has helped me to identify my blind spots and recognise the potential I have been oblivious to... I now see myself as a TALENT and I have developed new affirmations for myself.

I love that the author poses critical questions that have often promoted some of my personal journal entries... a page turner that left me pensive at the end of each topic. This is a truly special book 📖💡

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a gift or I wouldn't have read beyond the first chapter. Overall, the book was not at all informative. It seemed entirely comprised of barely-connected quotes and anecdotes, with very little actual analysis to explain their rationale. On a more specific level, I explained on a quote-by-quote basis what I disagreed with and why. If you care enough to read it, it's available here. I will admit, though, I probably would not have been moved to be this picky had it not been for one crutial point in the introduction: Maxwell lauded Michael Vick as a great display of talent. There are very few names which can push me to instant anger and Michael Vick is one. Had that quote not appeared, I still would not have agreed with the book, but I probably wouldn't have disagreed with such passion.

[Scribbles and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a gift from Alex's mom, Tita Hazel. The element of surprise made me look forward in reading and because it's the work of one of my favourite authors John Maxwell. I totally felt the relevance of this gift as we were about to depart from Cebu to Singapore and start a new life there.

Fast forward, this book, with its easy to digest concepts and time-tested values has guided me to harness my talent and not forgetting to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. Being in a foreign land takes even more guts and perseverance and just having a talent, even when you are very good at it will not be enough. You need "beyond talent" to survive. This book summarises that when a talent is paired with lasting values such as continuous learning, passion, humility and determination, one is most likely to sustain success.

I believe that anyone can become successful but not everyone can sustain it well.

[Theshigen Navalingam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get through to finishing this book. It's just so damned bad. The drudgery of reading this book is like being tied to a horse and being dragged around a field. It says nothing new, revelatory, or original. It is surprising how many people choose not to use common sense and pick books like these as 'eye opening' motivators. They aren't eye opening, and you certainly don't need a book like this to motivate you.

Do yourself a favour, pick this book up and read its table of contents... reading done.

[Majorie Cheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for people managers and employees alike. You need to have more than just talent to stand out of the crowd and be an asset to the team and the company.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several of Maxwell's books on leadership and results, and maybe that's the problem. I think it's getting too repetitive. Or maybe I've just read too much on the subject this year. (hey, I went to a 3 week course that the Army runs for civilians on leadership. It was not exactly just a 'gentleman's course' - there were projects, readings, and writing assignments.) Anyway, so much of this seemed to be a reiteration of other works. The basic premise is solid: talent alone will not bring success. There are plenty of folks out there with talent who never get far. Talent only puts a wedge in the door; it's what you do with that talent that makes the difference - your work ethic, your character, your initiative, these things, among others, will determine your success.

A few thoughts from this book:

Talent is a given, but you must earn success....talent gives them opportunity, and the right choices open the door for even more success.

Don't let yesterday hijack your attention. I've never known a person focusing on yesterday who had a better tomorrow...Learn from the past and let go of it.

You can't discover your abilities and prove your skills in an environment where you're not allowed to make mistakes. Improvement always requires some degree of failure. You must seek a practice area where experimentation and exploration are allowed. Very small differences consistently practiced will produce results. A curious thing happens when you practice. At first the gains are small, then they begin to grow, but there comes a time, if you persevere, that the gains become small again. However, at this season, these small gains make big differences.

[Chris Townson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In classic Maxwell Fashion, he identifies and addresses the myth that talent alone is enough to win and win consistently. Recognizing multiple attributes that builds upon your talent, and a few that kill it, he walks the reader through a series of ideas for building on and maximizing one’s talent.

A quality read form the GOAT of modern-day leadership.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s What You Do

Maxwell is one of the most prolific writers on the subject of leadership and self development. This books discusses the importance of application of talent and discipline in team and individual achievement. A good read on personal and team development - recognition that those that do are more successful than those with unapplied talent.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Praise for the book, ‘Beyond Talent’ by John C Maxwell.
Truly a book that cannot be missed if one is to excel and want to be successful. The author clearly delineates that talent alone cannot go far but together with talent-plus will elevate the potential to higher performance and achievement.

[Chra · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتێبێکی زۆر باش بوو بەلای منەوە, بە شێوەیەکی سەرەکی باسی ئەوەی دەکرد کە ئایا (بەهرە) تاکە شتە مرۆڤ بتوانێت لە ڕێگایەوە سەرکەوتوو بێت؟
بێگومان هەبوونی (بەهرە) بەس نییە, پێشنیاری کۆمەڵێک ڕێگا دەکات کە تاک پێویستە بیانگرێتە بەر بۆ بەرەوپێشبردنی (بەهرە) ەکەی.
لەڕووی باسکردنی بابەتەکان و زمانەوانی, نوسەر زۆر بە شێوەیەکی باش توانیویەتی مەبەستەکەی بگەیەنێت.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente Libro

Me encanto el he ho de que te enseña 13 cosas especificas en las que debes enfocarte y las fundamenta profundamente.
Tiene ademas ejercicios al final de cada capitulo para que lo apliques.

[Rebecca Marts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

John Maxwell is by far my favorite author! What an exceptional book. Full of motivating content and great stories. His books never disappoint me.

[Dremmor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine one for me, just a reminder of some great quotes that is actually inspiring and helpful. Got this book for free on a book event in my ninth grade though.

[Ahmed Abd Elmonsef · Rating 4 out of 5]

فكرة ان الموهبة وحدها لا تكفي لكي ينجح ويتميز الانسان
فهناك متغيرات أخرى لابد من توفرها حتى يضمن الانسان استمرارية النجاح والتميز ..
كتاب مهم وعملي كعادة حون ماكسويل

[Paul Kandavalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beyond Talent: Become Someone Who Gets Extraordinary Results “is another great book by John Maxwell.

This book is filled with great wisdom and in order to be benefited from this book it needs to be read a few times and has to be applied personally. I would suggest reading this book a few times and digesting it while applying the principles presented to get the most out of it. As always apart from his words of wisdom, John Maxwell uses quotes from various people including coaches, leaders and artists to name a few.

John writes that life is a matter of choices and every choice that we make makes us. But one of the most important choices you will make is “Who will you become?” Life is not merely a matter of holding and playing a good hand as you would hope to do in card game.

Talent is God given.

This book talks about “Talent + Right Choices = A Talent plus Person”

John Maxwell shares 13 attributes that are required to maximize your potential in order to live the life of your dreams.

1. Belief lifts your talent.
2. Passion energizes your talent
3. Initiative activates your talent.
4. Focus directs your talent.
5. Preparation positions your talent.
6. Practice sharpens your talent.
7. Perseverance sustains your talent.
8. Courage tests your talent.
9. Teachability expands your talent.
10. Character protects your talent.
11. Relationships influence your talent.
12. Responsibility strengthens your talent.
13. Teamwork multiplies your talent.

Each chapter ends with Application exercises based on the content from that chapter. (As an example Chapter 1 ends with “Talent + Belief” application exercises, Chapter 2 ends with “Talent + Passion” application exercises, Chapter 3 ends with “Talent + Initiative” application exercises to give an idea) and these exercises are extremely challenging and beneficial towards personal application.

The talent plus people are those who maximize their talent, reach their potential and fulfill their destiny. John’s prayer is that this book “Beyond Talent” will help the reader to steer themselves in the right direction and to make right choices that will empower the reader to become a talent plus person, build upon the foundations of our abilities, and live our life to your fullest potential.

I will be reading this book over a few times to be fully benefited from it. Some of the chapters have challenged me personally as I was reading through this book for the first time.

Thanks to John Maxwell for another great book. I strongly recommend this book and give it a 5 star rating.

[Andrew Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read. Apply the things you learn here in your career or even hobby. Just remember to APPLY the things you learn instead of just reading more books like this

[Tessa Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell provides step-by-step motivating principles to help one become a “talent-plus” person with extraordinary results. If you’re looking into buying this book, be sure that you have a pen and/or highlighter around as you begin to read, as this book is packed full of useful strategies as well as quotes relating to each method that Maxwell provides. In every section he also gives real-life stories to help the reader see clearly as to how and why these principles work. Beyond Talent is in an easy-to-read format with application exercises at the end of each chapter to help the reader apply what they have read. I very much enjoyed this thought-provoking book and feel as if I should go back and read it again just to make sure that everything has sinked in.

I would recommend Beyond Talent for teens and adults alike. This book will inspire you to stretch and challenge yourself as well as your talents, whether you're a student or already involved in a career. This is the first book that I’ve read by John Maxwell but definitely will not be the last!

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers Group as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.

[Kelley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Talent is an extraordinary book that can be very helpful in exploring your gifts and talents beyond what you see. It is a delightful in becoming who God called you to be and expanding your gifts and talents. The author gave us some insightful information along with at the end exercises to assist you and prepare you for researching your talents. The title, itself tells us to become extraordinary people that get results and moving beyond your talents. This book has really given me a glimpse of what I need to accomplish as a writer and how I see myself as a writer-Valuable. Now I have no excuses but to take the limit off of my talents and allow God to us me beyond what I see. Thank You, John Maxwell for creating such a remarkable book and allowing God to use you in a way that reaches people.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

[Nascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Definitely life-changing for me. I highly recommend it for others who are looking to challenge themselves and broaden their world. Maxwell reveals what it takes to be a success and how to get results in all areas of life. Not your typical self-help book. So good, I actually took notes.

Basic premise:
Thirteen key choices that can maximize anyone’s talents:
1. Belief lifts your talent.
2. Passion energizes your talent.
3. Initiative activates your talent.
4. Focus directs your talent.
5. Preparation positions your talent.
6. Practice sharpens your talent.
7. Perserverance sustains your talent.
8. Character protects your talent.

Talent + Right Choices = Talent Plus Person

Talent + Belief + Passion + Initiative + Focus + Preparation + Practice + Perserverance + Courage + Teachability + Character + Relationships + Responsibility + Teamwork = Beyond Talent

Now read the book! :)

[Royal Farris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great personal development and leadership book by Maxwell. I think one of his best.

I taught this to a high school football team. There is way more to being successful than being talented.

Maxwell teaches the importance of believing in yourself, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance, character and more.

Every high school and college student should read and apply this to life .

[Jennifer Dawkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge john Maxwell fan but this one did not grab me.... Yup it took me 11 months to read!
Pick 21 laws of leadership instead!

[Sanjay Jhaveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talent will only take you so far. Success requires many things (e.g., passion, initiative and courage). Worth reading but not as good as his Leadership book.

[Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a lovely book, i`ll read it again, I do recommend for all those interested in becoming leaders in the life`s, becoming enthusiastic to extraordinary..

[Charles Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talent is never enough. Without some basic things, one cant succeed. It was truly eye opening

[Stuart Bertram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content and well written

Another well written book by John Maxwell. Very informative and well constructed sequence of ideas. I enjoyed it from front to back.