Can Your Transferrable Skills Transform You Into a High Performer?

In an exploratory interview with psychologist, Sue Firth, she and I uncover the source of high performance for many in business and sports. She and I discussed how personal misfortune can sometimes be the catalyst for becoming extraordinary. For some people, extraordinary happens because they used transferrable skills from careers in unrelated fields. During the interview, we explore the mindset for why most breakthrough initiatives fail in organizations. Many believe they fail because people do not want to leave their comfort zone. Yes, that happens. At the same time, when it comes to breakthrough initiatives, people have limiting beliefs associated with the new project. Those limiting beliefs can serve as blind spots. In addition, the breakthrough may require new skills and competencies to complete it. If you believe you do not possess them, you may sabotage the initiative in order to ensure you remain relevant in your current job. As a first step, it may be wise to bridge the gap by first exploring transferrable skills to execute the new initiative. Most people have untapped transferrable skills from their personal or professional life. That may make it easier to move the needle and get the project started with minimal delays. When the entire team discovers their transferrable skills, new ideas explode. Then it becomes easier to execute the breakthrough.