In TALENT IS OVERRATED: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from
Everybody Else, distinguished business journalist Geoff Colvin explores a fascinating question: Why do some people excel, while others don't?
This is a mystery so commonplace that we scarcely notice it, yet it's critically
important to the success or failure of our organizations, the causes we believe in,
and our own lives.
When asked to explain why only a few people truly excel, most of us offer one of
two answers. The first is hard work. The other is that the elite possess an innate talent for outperforming in their field. But, according to Colvin, both the hard work and natural talent camps are wrong.
  In the book, he uncovers the solution to the mystery of high performance. What really makes all the difference is a highly specific kind of effort - which few of us pursue when we're practicing golf, piano, chess, making decisions, or picking stocks. "Deliberate practice" isn't the kind of hard work that your parents told you about. It's difficult. It hurts. But more of it equals better performance, and tons of it equals great performance.

Colvin shares stories of extraordinary people who achieved world-class greatness by applying the
ideas in this book - from superstars Tiger Woods and Chris Rock to business legends Warren Buffett
and Jack Welch.  Colvin also explains the cutting-edge research that debunks the myth of innate
talent.
 
As Daniel Pink writes, "This is the rare business book that will both prompt you to think and inspire
you to act."

• See Geoff's Interview with Charlie Rose
• CNNMoney Video