The business world is filled with talented, brilliant individuals who may not always be the most outspoken or obvious.
It’s often difficult to identify the true gems in the workplace, as these individuals may be more subdued or even overlooked.
However, there are certain tell-tale signs that can be used to identify concealed brilliance in the workplace.
From problem-solving skills to strong analytical thinking, these indicators can help uncover genuine talent and even help in career development.
Are you curious about the signs of concealed brilliance in the workplace and how to spot genuine talent?
We’ll look at how to recognize the various skills and abilities that can help distinguish the truly brilliant from the rest.
1) Astounding problem-solving skills
These are the individuals who are able to see a problem from all angles, identify potential solutions, and have the ability to implement a plan of action.
They can draw upon past experiences and apply them to new problems, so you may notice that they have a diverse skill set and are able to work in a variety of fields.
These individuals are often natural leaders and thrive in situations where there is uncertainty and chaos.
If there is a problem in the workplace that needs solving, these individuals will quickly be drawn to it and may even volunteer to take charge of the situation.
You see, many people can do what other people tell them to do, but only a few can figure out what needs to be done in order to solve a challenging problem.
The thing is, when someone is great at problem-solving, you just instantly know that their brains work faster and more efficiently than those of other people.
These workers are often highly analytical and have a strong ability to see patterns, which can help them to identify solutions to a wide range of problems.
That brings me to my next point:
2) Analytical thinking
This involves breaking down a problem or situation and then combining the facts to form conclusions.
It is the ability to look at every aspect of a problem and explore alternative choices and solutions.
This is a skill that can be applied to almost every situation, and it will help to identify the underlying reasons behind a problem, making it easier to find a solution.
These workers are able to think outside the box, but they will also be able to break the problem down into smaller parts so that they can find an answer.
There are many different types of problems that can occur in the workplace, and it may not be possible to solve all of them right away.
However, if you have individuals who are skilled at analytical thinking on your team, they will be able to break down the problem and come up with a solution much quicker.
And the best part?
These individuals often don’t approach problems from a highly emotional angle. Quite contrary, they will look at the facts, and then come up with a solution based on logic.
That’s why analytical thinkers are often able to come up with solutions to problems much faster than others.
Sure, emotions can come in quite handy at certain times or for certain situations, but when it comes to the workplace and solving problems, this skill of being analytical is extremely useful.
On a similar note, you need to always stay curious.
That brings me to my next point:
3) A high sense of curiosity
These brilliant individuals are constantly exploring new ideas and situations, which can help them to become more skilled in their field of expertise.
They have a genuine interest in everything around them, and this curiosity can help them to excel in their career.
If there are new processes for example that need to be learned, these individuals will likely be the ones who are eager to dive in and take advantage of the opportunity.
You may notice that these workers are always asking questions, which can help them to learn new skills and pick up new information quickly.
This curiosity can also help them to explore new ideas and find new solutions to problems.
The thing is, some people are very content with where they are at in their lives and they don’t seek out a lot of new experiences or knowledge.
While that is okay for some people, other people are not so easily satisfied.
You see, the truly brilliant are always hungry for more – they want to know everything and they want to learn as much as they possibly can.
When you have a high sense of curiosity, it doesn’t matter what you are doing – you are always looking at new ways to improve upon it.
You might consider studying up on the latest trends in your field, or perhaps attending a conference so that you can learn more about the latest information in your industry.
When you are curious about everything around you, there is no end to what you can learn and how much knowledge you can gain from your surroundings.
And the best part?
Having these people in your workplace means they will constantly work on improving themselves, which is a huge plus!
Now, this always learning new stuff comes with one important skill:
4) The ability to learn quickly
The best way to identify genuine talent in the workplace is to challenge employees to pick up new skills.
If you have someone on your team who is skilled at learning quickly, they will likely be able to meet any challenge you put in front of them.
These individuals can take in a large amount of information, process it quickly and then use it in the workplace.
They are often able to pick up new skills at a faster rate than others, which can help them to stand out from the crowd.
When you have a new project that needs to be completed, you will likely want to select individuals who are skilled at learning quickly so that your team gets the job done in a timely manner.
Trust me, it might not sound like it, but almost any job can be learned relatively quickly with the right people.
The advantage of having a quick learner on your team is that no matter what happens, you know they can adapt to new roles and responsibilities.
This is a god-sent ability for any workplace.
However, even though they are such quick learners, truly brilliant people have one skill that only very few people possess:
5) The ability to recognize your limits
These individuals know when to ask for help, and it can help them to succeed in their profession.
You will find that many individuals who have genuine talent in the workplace are also extremely modest.
They may downplay their abilities or show little interest in seeking attention.
This is because they are able to recognize their limits and know when they are struggling with a particular task.
These workers are not afraid to ask for help, and they will also likely be willing to return the favor by helping out others in the office.
It may be difficult to identify the genuine talent in the workplace if they are not comfortable asking for assistance.
Trust me, when someone is great, that might be useful, but it can be detrimental when that person never asks for help or assistance with anything!
If, on the other hand, they are adamant about the fact that they don’t know anything, and so they aren’t afraid to ask for help – that’s when you’ve hit the jackpot.
These people will push their own limits but never cross the line. They will be able to work with you and help you achieve your goals.
One thing that also stands out is this next point:
6) Extreme attention to detail
These individuals notice even the smallest deviations; they are able to focus on details and will strive to fix any mistakes that they notice.
This skill is important for a wide variety of positions and can help improve the overall quality of work that is produced by your team.
These individuals will likely have strong organizational skills and be able to complete projects on time and with high quality.
This attention to detail can help improve your team’s efficiency and help to avoid any major mistakes.
Trust me, if there is one thing you want, it’s that one of your workers is focused on the small details that nobody else notices.
Believe it or not, that’s often what sets a good company apart from a great one!
Even though these little things might seem insignificant at first, they carry a huge significance.
Another thing of big significance? Communication.
7) Communication skills are on point
These individuals are able to clearly express themselves and are not afraid to speak up when they have something to say.
They can also listen to others, and this can help to improve the overall productivity of your team.
You may notice that these workers are often able to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings among team members by communicating in an effective manner.
This communication skill can help individuals advance their career, as communication is critical in most positions.
If you are looking for a new team member, you should consider hiring individuals who have strong communication skills.
The thing is, some people are brilliant, but they utterly lack people skills.
The truly brilliant will not have that problem, however.
They will have great communication skills, which means that they can convey their points effectively while still keeping the peace and knowing when to speak up.
A lack of communication skills can make a team member seem unprofessional and even rude.
If you want to hire the best possible people, then you should consider looking for individuals who have great communication skills.
Going hand in hand with communication skills is this next point:
8) Being able to control your impulses
These brilliant individuals are able to take a step back and think before they act or speak.
They take time to consider the situation and will not rush into a decision or jump to a conclusion without analyzing the situation.
These workers are able to control their emotions, and this will help them to build trust and earn the respect of their peers.
This ability will also help them to avoid making critical mistakes at work, which can help them to advance in their career.
The thing is, someone can be the most genius person in the room, but unless they can control their impulses, they can be useless!
Think about it: someone who acts on an impulse will make decisions that are not in the best interest of their team or company.
Consider looking for individuals who have great impulse control.
The most brilliant people know that their impulses might lead them off track, so they keep them in check.
Now: when things get stressful, that’s when the truly brilliant will stick out:
9) The ability to work under pressure
These individuals thrive when there is a tight deadline or a lot of pressure to complete a project.
They can quickly shift their focus when something goes wrong and help to bring the team together in the face of adversity.
This ability will help workers complete projects in a timely manner and can also help to promote a healthy team environment.
If you notice that your team members are able to work under pressure, you will likely want to give them more challenging tasks that require a quick completion.
This ability will help individuals advance their career as it is important to be able to meet deadlines.
Truly brilliant people will not only be able to function under pressure, but they will also thrive there!
This pressure will inspire them to use their creative thinking skills:
10) Creative thinking and finding solutions
These brilliant individuals are able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems.
They will not be limited by the current situation and will be able to make changes to come up with a better solution.
These workers can help to innovate your company and may be able to come up with new ideas that can help to improve productivity.
This skill is also important when it comes to dealing with challenging situations in the workplace.
If there is a problem that needs resolving, these individuals may be able to find an alternative solution that will work better than the current method.
People often underestimate how valuable creative thinking is in the workplace.
This skill is not only important for individuals who are working with their hands, but it is also necessary if you want to be able to think creatively about your company’s problems.
Here are some examples of how creative thinking will bring value to your team:
- When working on a project, creative thinkers can come up with new ideas that may not be immediately practical but could help the company in the long run.
- When it comes to coming up with new ideas, creative thinkers will often be able to think outside of the box and consider solutions that may not have been considered before.
- Creative thinking can help workers tap into their imagination and be able to come up with solutions and this can lead them to discover new ways of doing things.
However, being great at creative thinking will not immediately make you a brilliant person, you need a high level of self-awareness for that, too:
11) A high level of self-awareness
These individuals are able to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
This can help them to set realistic goals and make positive changes in their life.
It is important to determine if the person you are working with has genuine talent or if they are simply skilled in that field.
If you notice that an individual is able to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, they likely have genuine talent, and this can help them to excel in their profession.
This ability to be self-aware can help workers advance their career as you will be able to recognize their strengths and provide them with the appropriate training.
I know, self-awareness is probably not the skill that immediately comes to mind when you think about what brilliant people in the workplace are like, but let’s think about it:
People with high self-awareness know how to reflect on their own thoughts and actions, which will help them to make better decisions.
When you are able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses, you will be able to use these skills to your advantage.
Being self-aware helps workers become more productive and efficient in their work, as they will be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.
Final thoughts
There are many great people out there, but only a few possess the qualities of the truly brilliant.
If you find someone who fits these criteria, then you know you’ve hit the jackpot – this person is genuinely brilliant and will add tons of value to any team.
Sometimes, one brilliant worker can be more efficient than 5 good ones – so these are the qualities anyone should strive for!
Also read: 10 signs your boss sees your potential at work, even if they don’t say it
