Guest Post: Geoff Colvin’s new take on talent

Why would a young Bill Gates spend untold hours in a garage developing the computer system that would become Microsoft? Why was Jimi Hendrix so compulsive about playing the guitar he even took it into the bathroom with him? Why were Tiger Woods and Mozart accomplished in their fields by the age of 21? I don’t believe they were motivated by money, praise or status, or even ambition at all.

I believe what makes 10000 hours of devotion to a singular pursuit gratifying is the intensely personal experience of “flow.” As described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in a book of the same title, “Flow” is a mental state of complete absorption in which one is so focused on practicing a skill that hours can drift by unnoticed and one might lose awareness of one’s surroundings. Referred to as an “alpha state”, the experience of flow is so intensely pleasurable that even food and sleep can seem like unwanted distractions. Flow transcends definitions of “work” or “play”…..work becomes play, and research shows that flow is in fact more enjoyable than our traditional definitions of recreation or relaxation. Flow is the mathematician concentrating on an equation, the artist obsessed with a painting, the writer or musician pondering a composition, an athlete “in the zone.” It is previous experience and skill combined with just the right level of new challenge as to fascinate without overwhelming.

While a supportive environment and praise can encourage mastery, I think “flow” is too deeply personal to be forced, much less “turbo-charged.” Minimizing demands of “multi-tasking”, endless meetings and constant distractions could improve focus and concentration for many in corporate settings, though, whether they are talented or just hard working.

Geoff- Brother Immelt in his brief tenure at GE has indeed shown his Megamanagement skills. From $60, he has managed the stock to $18. That’s about $420 billion. Spectacular !! Atta Boys all around for Jeff and his staff !!. Bill Gross of Pimco told Immelt and Welch to reduce the nutty leverage levels at GE in 2002 and Gross stopped buying GE Commercial Paper when they told Gross to buzz off.
Now GE,samaritans that they are, are “helping out” the Federal Reserve and the Commercial Paper market by participating in the Commercial paper market bail out. Now that makes my heart full. Is it rude to suggest that GE must have the cash, and quick. ?? I wait anxiously for Warren to self critique his capital injection to these bozos- Raybo

“But the main thing is continually trying things you can’t quite do.” This is great advice, but as often the case in corporate life, there isn’t much support for errors or a learning curve.

I think a lot of standard HR/ Development practices have not kept pace with the evolution of business challenges. A fundamental alternative is required to the goal setting, performance reviews, talent identification, promotion, career structures is needed. THe old military hierarchy based system needs alternatives.

Pattie,
You did a great service to Fortune’s readers in citing in your guest column Geoff Colvin’s book on what makes a great leader.

I too have believed that leaders are made, not born. And this kind of uplisting, positive frame of mind is essential in today’s turbulent economy.