The Many Faces of Talent: A Message for Leaders and Planners

The Many Faces of Talent: A Message for Leaders and Planners

A few years ago, I had the privilege of speaking at Caldwell Academy’s Grandparents Day. My granddaughter Jadyn was a student there, which gave me a natural tie-in. But what surprised me most was the packed gymnasium — standing room only, filled with grandparents ready to celebrate the next generation.

I shared stories of my own school struggles and how I somehow found my way into one of the rarest careers: becoming a professional artist. People often look at my work and say, “Bill, you are so talented.” But here’s what I’ve learned to say in return: “Yes, and so are you.”

Just this week I was reading a devotional by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life. He wrote that studies show each of us carries 600 to 700 talents, though most remain untapped. That’s a staggering thought — and an urgent challenge.

As leaders, planners, and community builders, our mission isn’t simply to identify our own gifts — it’s to awaken and multiply the talents in others.

Three Inspiring Takeaways

1. Talent builds connection. When you recognize the gifts in others, you draw people closer and inspire trust.

2. Talent fuels service. Communities thrive when ordinary strengths — patience, listening, problem-solving — are put to work.

3. Talent multiplies under purpose. Aligning your abilities with a mission bigger than yourself unlocks hidden potential in you and those around you.

This September, I’ll be sharing these insights in a keynote for AccessHealth, a network dedicated to serving vulnerable populations. Their story is proof: when diverse talents converge around a mission, extraordinary change happens.

The question is — what gifts are waiting in you, or in your team, that have yet to be unleashed?