«Every child has a right to be supported»
Mr Hengstschläger, what does talent mean to you?
There are different talents, such as musical, logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial and so on. It is important to realise that talents are basically only potentials. This potential is also determined by genetics and early childhood influences. But they can only be turned into specific achievements by acquiring knowledge and practising. I am talking here about what is known as solution aptitude. In our fast-moving times, each and every one of us has to master more and more foreseeable, but also more and more unforeseeable challenges and find solutions - whether in our private or professional lives. I even believe that without the ability to find solutions, all other talents dry up on the way to creatively generating innovative solutions.
What exactly does «solution talent» mean?
The genetic and early childhood potential of every person to solve problems. In principle, everyone has this potential. Turning this talent into an achievement, i.e. successfully solving a problem, requires a certain amount of knowledge and practice. The talent for solving problems must be realised with the courage to break new ground and in a creative process through motivated hard work. To achieve this, the talent for solving problems must be encouraged, developed and inspired time and again. Whether in the education system, in the course of talent management, in research, in politics, in the world of work or even in private life, our primary concern must be to promote every individual's talent for finding solutions. This makes an incomparable contribution to personal development.
How do you find a talent? Can you wait for it to show itself or should you look for it specifically?
There are many reasons why the discovery of one's own talents cannot be left to the individual. For example, this process ideally starts at a time of childhood development when people are not yet thinking much about themselves and would find it difficult to discover their own talents. In addition, people are not very good at assessing their own strengths and weaknesses. There is even talk of «blind spots», i.e. gaps in our knowledge about ourselves, such as information about ourselves that is only noticeable when viewed from the outside. It is particularly unfortunate when poor self-assessment leads to unfavourable career choices for young people. People are therefore also dependent on others. To a certain extent, talent scouting is needed. Ideally, as many people as possible should get involved. I would rephrase the well-known African proverb: «It takes several villages to discover and nurture a talent.»
Do I «have» to foster a talent if I discover it in my child?
We also need to talk about motivation here. If a child who perhaps has biological potential in a certain area but is not motivated to practise there, the end result may be even less than if a child who is perhaps not quite as gifted is highly motivated to go the extra mile and enjoys it a lot.
Is every child, every person gifted?
I believe that everyone has talents, just that everyone has them in different areas. Whether in science, crafts, sport, music, social skills and so on. It's also important to me to say that a person who spends a lifetime caring for other people, for example, is just as talented as a footballer. If we approach the topic in this way, there is something for everyone. When it comes to major challenges such as climate change, the refugee crisis, racism or the Covid-19 pandemic, it's all about saving people from the crisis of participation and motivating them to take part in collective solution processes. Because every contribution counts. Human beings are fundamentally rational, socially gifted and also capable of finding solutions. However, we also need to constantly reflect on this potential and utilise it accordingly.
Are talents «fixed» in people?
Even today, too many people still say: «Gifts, talents - you either have them or you don't.» If you were to set an elephant, a monkey and a snake the task of climbing a tree, genetic differences would very quickly become apparent and relevant. Individual genetic make-up undoubtedly plays a role. However, when it comes to the development of talents, humans cannot be reduced to their genes. Genes are like pencil and paper, but we always write the story ourselves. People therefore have a lot in their own hands. This is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
How do you promote talent?
There are many strategies for encouraging talent and keeping it flourishing throughout life. For example, allowing the process of practising or praise are of great importance. When it comes to my model of problem-solving talent, for example, you have to make sure that you don't constantly take the problem-solving process away from children. Children need to have the chance to try out ideas and practise finding solutions themselves. And it is simply a great feeling to be praised for a solution they have found themselves. Children with such experiences will want to keep developing new solutions themselves throughout their lives and also want to participate in collective solution processes. In addition to practising, it is also necessary to acquire the relevant factual knowledge. In order to be able to develop and utilise talents, however, a variety of - what I call - undirected knowledge and skills are also required.
What do you mean by that?
In addition to the motivation already mentioned, for example, critical thinking, social skills, resilience and much more. In my opinion, more attention simply needs to be paid to this in the education system. This also applies to the fact that we should not only focus on correcting weaknesses, but more on strengthening strengths. In private life, it is important to offer a wide range of opportunities and to facilitate many interfaces with people with different interests, different expertise, different cultural backgrounds and so on. In any case, every child, regardless of their parents' income or level of education, has a right to be professionally recognised for their talents and offered support.
Read more about giftedness:
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