I wasn’t exactly a child prodigy

I did well at school, but nothing remarkable. I only really hit my stride at uni and postgrad.

On the sports field I was hopeless. Really hopeless.  It was only in my twenties that I discovered my love for exercise and keeping fit.

And in my first few years of my career, I had a strong and steady but not exceptional growth path.
But it was only in my early 40s that I launched my tech powered digital agency, that my business life really took off.

For a long time, I assumed this made me a bit of an outlier.
Like I’d arrived late to the party.

Then yesterday, I read some research featured in The Economist that really hit me.
The study looked at more than 34,000 elite professionals.
The findings blew me away.

Child prodigies often do ok later in life, but they rarely become true superstars as adults.

Rather, around 90 percent of elite adult professionals were NOT standouts as children.
In fact, early brilliance and adult excellence are often negatively correlated.

What separates those who eventually reach the top isn’t early specialisation, but range.
They try more things, stay broader for longer, and develop strong learning skills.
When they eventually focus, they progress faster and with more staying power than early bloomers.

Leaders who arrive later often bring something different.
They’ve usually been knocked about a bit.
They’ve had to adapt.
They’ve learned how to learn.
And all this tends to build resilience, perspective and humility.

I see both ends of this spectrum in my coaching work.

For example, I’m working with a young founder who’s had early success that’s come easily.
But now as the inevitable first speed bumps show up (like losing a client, a tough team situation, cash pressure), it feels deeply unsettling for him.
He’s having to build resilience muscles for the first time.

At the same time, I’m also working with more experienced leader who has a new venture planned that we both know will be a success.
She’s quietly listening to those voices in her head telling her maybe it’s just too late to start something new.
But she knows deep down she’ll bring far more judgement, self-awareness and emotional range than she ever had earlier in her career.

Now back to me…

Not being a prodigy didn’t stop me from eventually winning the race.
It gave me time to explore, get things wrong, learn properly, and grow.
So when the big opportunity came knocking, I was really ready.

Progress is rarely linear.
And brilliance often shows up later than we expect.

Photo: me 8 months old and not a child prodigy yet! :-)