The Tyranny of Talent: How it Compels and Limits Athletic Achievement... and Why You Should Ignore it

By: Joe Baker

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Synopsis: For the past two decades, Joe Baker and his colleagues have studied this concept and its value in sport and non-sport settings. For many coaches, parents, and athletes, misunderstandings about ‘talent’ continue to constrain how they think about their long-term development and achievement. This book explores the elements that affect people's likelihood of success, starting with a thorough discussion of what 'talent' is, why both nature and nurture are critical factors, and why this distinction no longer matters. Regrettably, tyrannical views of talent, held by many sport stakeholders, limit how sports are designed, discussed, and delivered, often undermining the very elements needed for long-term success. It is time for a 21st century approach to sporting talent.