Dear class, 

We are all talents in this world. Nobody is less than that.

Knowing this is important. But what’s more important is that we are able to identify our talents and realise our true potential. There are many of us who live our entire lives without fully utilising our talents. I hope that you will be one of them who will realise your talents. Hence, I have started this “Talent” series to help you explore the talents that you have.

There are many ways to identify talents. The fact that we tend to excel in the things that we love to do has shown the possibility of identifying talents through our interests.  We are also able to identify our talents in something that we do best as well. However, for this “Talents” series, I have chosen to look at the various types of talents through our personalities as I feel that our personalities - albeit some minor changes due to our life experiences - usually stay the same over a lifetime. More importantly, our personalities usually give a more accurate gauge of the career options that we are able to explore. Many research tests in recent years that are personality-based seem to reinforce this perception. Do note that the term “The Nurturer” as used in this article is different from what is reflected on the materials you may find online. This is because I am defining this term based on the experiences of my interactions with such talents. The same can be said of the subsequent talents that I will be writing on.   

So, let’s begin with the first type of talent, known by many as “The Nurturer“.

Individuals who are considered as Nurturers are often overlooked by many in society, precisely because they often do not take up prominent positions such as a company’s CEO or even members of senior management in the corporate workplace.  The primary focus of the Nurturers in their lifetime is not in creating a vision for companies but rather, developing a vision for individuals and to develop the fullest potential of every single individual under their care.  And these may include mentees, students, a fellow colleagues or even their loved one.

They have a knack of identifying other’s strength and encouraging them to further develop them. And they usually have the ability to do this to such an extent that others are able to carve out a career path that are meant for them over a lifetime. It is therefore not surprising that people often gave great thanks to the Nurturer for helping them identify the paths in their lives that they are taking.  Hence, gratitude is often given to the Nurturers, who often accept them in humility.  To the Nurturers, to help is not a favour or an obligation. It is a calling.

However, the Nurturer’s greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. I believe this speaks true of all if not most personalities. The Nurturer’s tendency to be caring is sometimes taken advantage of. It has often been said that Nurturers may be among the individuals who are often bullied. From personal experiences, I beg to differ. In most instances that I came across, Nurturers are often respected instead. Personally, I feel that deep down in the hearts of all of us, we respect individuals who care about us, who notice us and who give us a helping hand. And in return - be it in a conscious or subconscious manner - we have a tendency to want to return the kindness rendered. And this should always be the case. As the saying goes: kindness begets kindness.

While most of us recognise talents that is aligned and in tune with our own, Nurturers are usually able to identify talents in others that are different from their own. This is what makes the Nurturers so powerful and charismatic as it has often been said that a person is powerful not because of his or her strengths and abilities but rather,  it’s his or her ability to appreciate talents while employing and nurturing them in the endeavours where they can be at their best.  Such is the charismatic prowess of a Nurturer.

The nurturers often have the unique ability to blend into any environment.  It’s this precise skill that enables Nurturers to be skilled mediators when it comes to conflict resolution as they are able to get on good terms with the various personality types. An aura of amicability seems to revolve around nurturers and people find them to be pleasant and caring. Nurturers are also often among the first few individuals that come to someone’s mind should they require any form of assistance, assurance or advice.

Nurturers are the gems in this world. They provide the light at the end of the tunnel. Or rather, they are the light at the end of the tunnel. They enable us to reach an equilibrium when it comes to our emotional level.  Some of us have even associate the Nurturers with the term “Births” and “Rebirths”, for the Nurturers have the unique ability of seeing the talents in any individual and making them shine in life.

So, are you a Nurturer?

If so, the following are some career paths that you might like to consider:

•  Teacher (at all levels)
•  Counsellor
•  Social Worker
•  Career Coach
•  Career Consultant
•  Writer (of relevant genres and publications)

Dear class,

In the coming months, I am going to start a series of articles on the types of personalities that we possess. While each of our personalities has its pros and cons, it cannot be denied that our personalities define our talents. Through our personalities, we are able to identify our strengths and through our strengths, we will find our talents.

I am hoping that through this deeper understanding of our talents, we will be able to see the potential in ourselves,  as well as releasing this potential to be our best by excelling in life.  I will also explore the possible career options for the various personality types. So, stay tuned.

I will be starting this series of articles soon, beginning with The Nurturer. So, do back often for updates.