Discovering Hidden Talents: A Leadership Perspective

One of the biggest leadership lessons I’ve learned is that people often have hidden talents they don’t even recognize in themselves. But here’s the thing, discovering those talents isn’t just about telling people to “be creative” or “take risks.” It’s about creating a culture where they feel safe to experiment, safe to fail, and safe to show up as their true selves.

I remember a project where I was leading a team that was struggling to meet a major deadline. The pressure was mounting, and people were sticking to the basics, just doing the bare minimum to avoid mistakes; but then, I decided to try something different. Instead of directing the team with strict guidelines, I asked them, “What would you do if you had complete freedom on this project?” The responses surprised me. People started sharing ideas that were bold, unexpected, and far more innovative than the original plan.

One team member, who had never spoken up before, presented a concept that completely redefined the project’s direction and it ended up being the breakthrough we needed.

What changed?
They were given permission to contribute without fear of judgment.
They were given space to discover their hidden talents.

As leaders, it’s not enough to encourage people to take risks, we need to create the conditions where they feel safe enough to do so. Because the best ideas aren’t always in the minds of the loudest voices, they’re often in the minds of those who have been waiting for a chance to speak up.