It is clear that certain pitfalls have to be avoided in settling on a definition of talent (Howe
et al., 1998, p. 399). For instance, we must beware of having a restrictive definition as this
could make it impossible to find evidence to characterise talent. But then, some definitions of
talent are so vague that one is forced to ask what the point is of using the term ‘‘talent’’ at all.
Why not use any other human resourcing term, such as ‘‘skills’’ or ‘‘knowledge’’ or
‘‘competencies’’?
In this paper I consider the historical, linguistic and organisational development of the notion
of talent and derive lessons for developing talent in organisations.
2. ‘‘Talent’’ – etymologically speaking . . .
The word ‘‘talent’’ is thousands of years old, and lexicologists have identified how the term
has varied greatly with time, people and locality (that’s etymology). For example:
B The first dictionary definition of ‘‘talent’’ refers to ‘‘a denomination of weight, used by the
Assyrians, Babylonians, Greek, Romans, and other ancient peoples’’.
B A talent became a monetary unit when value was attributed to one talent of silver. The
word ‘‘talent’’ entered English via the Bible. In Matthew 25: 14 there is a reference to a man
who, about to go on a journey, entrusts his property to his servants, giving each five
talents, two and one respectively ‘‘according to his ability’’.
B The Greek version of this verse uses the word ‘‘talent’’, whereas the New English
Bible translates the Greek word ‘‘talent’’ with the word ‘‘capital’’. Today, HR people also
use the term ‘‘human capital’’, which in some contexts could be seen as synonymous to
‘‘talent’’.
B By the thirteenth century the word ‘‘talent’’ was related to an inclination or a disposition.
B In the fifteenth century it related to treasure, riches, mental endowment and natural ability.
B In the seventeenth century ‘‘talent’’ related to a special natural ability or aptitudes and
faculties of various kinds (mental orders of a superior order, mental power or abilities).
B By the nineteenth century, talent was viewed as embodied in the talented – hence, a
person of talent and ability.
So throughout the ages, the word ‘‘talent’’. which started life as a unit of weight and then a
unit of money, acquired new meanings in Europe in the Middle Ages. This changed to mean
special ability or aptitude, with those seen as talented able to demonstrate outstanding
accomplishments in mental and physical domains. The motivation here was certainly to
distinguish talent from ‘‘mere’’ skill. We see this in contemporary dictionaries, where talent is
defined as ‘‘a natural ability to do something well’’ (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
English, 2006) and ‘‘a special aptitude or faculty; high mental ability, a person or persons of
talent’’ (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1990).
3. Contemporary debates about talented individuals
In current debates about talent, several types of talent are taken to exist in certain
people from birth. This is termed having ‘‘innate talent’’ and is usually discussed with
regard to musical or sporting talent. For example, Tranckle and Cushion (2006) in the
sports arena and Gagne´ (2000) and Heller et al. (2000) focus on gifted students in
education. There are several common propositions about talent being innate (Sloboda,
1985), namely that:
It is clear that certain pitfalls have to be avoided in settling on a definition of talent (Howe
et al., 1998, p. 399). For instance, we must beware of having a restrictive definition as this
could make it impossible to find evidence to characterise talent. But then, some definitions of
talent are so vague that one is forced to ask what the point is of using the term ‘‘talent’’ at all.
Why not use any other human resourcing term, such as ‘‘skills’’ or ‘‘knowledge’’ or
‘‘competencies’’?
In this paper I consider the historical, linguistic and organisational development of the notion
of talent and derive lessons for developing talent in organisations.
2. ‘‘Talent’’ – etymologically speaking . . .
The word ‘‘talent’’ is thousands of years old, and lexicologists have identified how the term
has varied greatly with time, people and locality (that’s etymology). For example:
B The first dictionary definition of ‘‘talent’’ refers to ‘‘a denomination of weight, used by the
Assyrians, Babylonians, Greek, Romans, and other ancient peoples’’.
B A talent became a monetary unit when value was attributed to one talent of silver. The
word ‘‘talent’’ entered English via the Bible. In Matthew 25: 14 there is a reference to a man
who, about to go on a journey, entrusts his property to his servants, giving each five
talents, two and one respectively ‘‘according to his ability’’.
B The Greek version of this verse uses the word ‘‘talent’’, whereas the New English
Bible translates the Greek word ‘‘talent’’ with the word ‘‘capital’’. Today, HR people also
use the term ‘‘human capital’’, which in some contexts could be seen as synonymous to
‘‘talent’’.
B By the thirteenth century the word ‘‘talent’’ was related to an inclination or a disposition.
B In the fifteenth century it related to treasure, riches, mental endowment and natural ability.
B In the seventeenth century ‘‘talent’’ related to a special natural ability or aptitudes and
faculties of various kinds (mental orders of a superior order, mental power or abilities).
B By the nineteenth century, talent was viewed as embodied in the talented – hence, a
person of talent and ability.
So throughout the ages, the word ‘‘talent’’. which started life as a unit of weight and then a
unit of money, acquired new meanings in Europe in the Middle Ages. This changed to mean
special ability or aptitude, with those seen as talented able to demonstrate outstanding
accomplishments in mental and physical domains. The motivation here was certainly to
distinguish talent from ‘‘mere’’ skill. We see this in contemporary dictionaries, where talent is
defined as ‘‘a natural ability to do something well’’ (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
English, 2006) and ‘‘a special aptitude or faculty; high mental ability, a person or persons of
talent’’ (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1990).
3. Contemporary debates about talented individuals
In current debates about talent, several types of talent are taken to exist in certain
people from birth. This is termed having ‘‘innate talent’’ and is usually discussed with
regard to musical or sporting talent. For example, Tranckle and Cushion (2006) in the
sports arena and Gagne´ (2000) and Heller et al. (2000) focus on gifted students in
education. There are several common propositions about talent being innate (Sloboda,
1985), namely that:
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