The gifted and their long-term careers

Maximizing human capital is important ant the gifted provide some unique benefits to organizations. First, there is no single, universally accepted definition of giftedness, but most definitions relate to exceptional ability, high intelligence, and mastery across various domains of intelligence (including theories like Howard Gardner’s). You can review What is Giftedness? for more background.

Organizations that can harness this potential can achieve remarkable results by finding ways to apply exceptional skills in practical settings. However, gifted individuals must be matched with environments that recognize and foster their abilities—something society does not consistently do well. Too often, giftedness is confused with wealth the benefits of resources, leading to skewed programs and opportunities.

Exceptional talent often brings fresh perspectives on the world, which may not be welcomed by those with a narrower worldview, limited abstract reasoning skills, or less intuitive understanding of complex issues.

So—what happens to the gifted? According to Professional Situation of Gifted Adults  gifted adults generally perform well in employment, often demonstrate strong management and leadership skills, and report being generally satisfied with their careers. The study suggests that, overall, gifted individuals tend to do well in society. By extension, organizations could greatly benefit if they learn to attract, develop, and retain such talent—whether gifted or not.