In 'Talent Is Overrated', Geoff Colvin challenges the conventional wisdom that exceptional performance is due to innate talent. Instead, he presents extensive scientific research showing that the key to great performance is 'deliberate practice' – a specific type of work that is designed to improve performance, often with a teacher’s help, and involves continuous feedback and mental demands. The book provides insights and real-world examples to help readers understand and apply these principles to achieve greater performance in their fields.
In 'The Talent Code,' Daniel Coyle delves into the science behind talent development, highlighting three key elements: Deep Practice, Ignition, and Master Coaching. Coyle draws on cutting-edge neurology and research from various talent hotbeds around the world to explain how myelin, a neural insulator, is crucial for skill development. The book provides tools for parents, teachers, coaches, and individuals to maximize their potential and that of others, emphasizing that talent is not born but grown through targeted practice and the right motivation.
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Tigran Sloyan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CodeSignal, the leading skills platform empowering teams and individuals to discover and develop the skills that will shape the future. Tigran is a recognized voice in the industry—a TED speaker, active Forbes Technology Council member, frequent keynote, and contributor to major publications. He is passionate about the intersections of technology, education, and talent acquisition, and his innovative insights are regularly featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Morning Brew, and more. Before co-founding CodeSignal, Tigran was part of the technology management team at Google, where he spearheaded initiatives like Google Hangouts for Education and Google Login for sectors like Travel and Publishing.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How AI and simulations are transforming skills-based hiring and eliminating resume bias.
- Why resumes are outdated and how companies can move toward more accurate and fair assessments.
- The role of Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem in shaping CodeSignal’s AI tutoring innovations.
- How Generative AI is enabling real-world, high-fidelity skill simulations for non-technical roles like sales and leadership.
- Why universities struggle to keep up with fast-changing skills and how private sector partnerships can fill the gap.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:10] From Google to CodeSignal, Tigran Sloyan’s journey into skills-based hiring.
[00:05:42] Why resumes are a poor hiring signal and what should replace them.
[00:11:38] Hands-on learning vs. passive learning and the power of AI-driven practice.
[00:15:16] AI-powered simulations for training sales, leadership, and technical roles.
[00:24:11] Can AI replace executive coaches and leadership mentors?
[00:30:15] Why traditional universities struggle to keep up with changing skill demands.
[00:41:17] AI-driven skills assessments as an alternative to applicant tracking systems.
[00:49:46] The need for collaboration in solving the global skills gap.
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