Shadow Talent
Many talented and skilled people with solid ideas seem to go unheard, drowned out by louder voices. Changemakers working in the shadows, no less capable than those who gain the spotlight. At least that’s been my experience.
In 35 plus years, hundreds of eager entrepreneurs have come knocking, seeking help to advance their ideas. Some ideas were okay, few were great, and most were just... ideas. But each person was passionate about their idea, convinced that their proposed product, service, system, process, skill, or talent was important, a potential game changer.
There was the Fool Proof Voting Machine, FSVM with no risk of hanging chads. Spaghetti Already, take home and serve hot. The Capitalist Army, a training program for developing entrepreneurs. Max Stories, nostalgic childhood stories of growing up in America. MBA Plaza a web based portal to worldwide MBA programs. Safe Sitter a webcam system to monitor children. Safe Waste Medical, retractable disposable syringe. Chapter at a Time textbooks on demand.
Several ideas made it to market at least in part, but not with the lead entrepreneur at the helm. Not unusual! It’s the complete idea at the right time, place and with the right team and resources that makes it. Tough odds!
While I’m clearly interested in good ideas and impressed by a thorough business plan, it is the person behind the idea that most interests me. Is this a person that I would be willing to invest time and resources? Could I be of assistance, beyond funding?
Here’s my point, many of the most promising and interesting talent that I’ve encountered were not the passionate entrepreneurs who came calling, but those people I discovered working behind the scenes. Shadow talent. Natural leaders influencing and shaping outcomes off stage. Talent worth knowing.
My work, the work I’m proudest of is to match talent and opportunity. Help them find ways to make good use of their skills and put a spotlight on their talent and ideas. That’s why I’ve started the Whitenoise Works Community. To create a space for talent and opportunity to come together. A place where that talent wants to gather to share, grow and create.
