Key Elements of Potential

Talents – recurring patterns of thought, feeling or behavior that can be productively applied
......Natural, seemingly "innate" passions
......Individualized patterns unique to every person
......"Blessings" or "callings"
......Act as an unconscious "filter" for personal interests
......Not experience, brainpower or willpower
......Awareness of talents allows conscious application
......Talents + Appropriate Role = Success (Activated Potential)

• Striving Talents: Explain the "why" of a person (what drives a person to do what she does)
• Thinking Talents: Explain the "how" of a person (how a person does what she does)
• Relating Talents: Explain the "who" of a person (whom he is drawn to and away from and how he interacts with them)

Skills – abilities related to specific tasks, best learned through practice; "How-To's" of role; transferable

Knowledge – acquired information and experience put to effective action

• Factual Knowledge: Things you know, tacit information
• Experiential Knowledge: Understandings you have "picked up along the way", implicit information

Motivation – desire or willingness to participate 

Opportunity – occasion to apply talents, skills and knowledge