If you were to ask ten people what “entrepreneurial talent” looks like, there is a very good chance that you’d get ten different answers. Some focus on mindset, others on past results. Some consider traits like curiosity and drive. Dr. Jeff Magee’s “Player Capability Index” takes a structured run at defining entrepreneurial talent by mixing elements of motivation, personal development, and leadership theory.
His framework is big in concept and delivery, with the acronyms, formulas, and high-energy language to go with it. Some parts read like a keynote presentation, after all, Dr. Magee is sought after speaker, but being a Dr., he’s focused on an educational process that you could integrate into your hiring process. There is value in how it challenges you to think differently about how talent develops.
What follows is Dr. Jeff’s thoughts. I’d suggest reading it with a practical lens. Some of the language leans toward branding, but the ideas underneath are worth considering: How do we measure potential? What really drives performance? And how do we tell the difference between a seasoned veteran and someone with good potential?
How to Develop TALENT & Assess Viability to Predict Future Success!
Entrepreneurial spirit and energy are at the root of any success – and the pandemic continues to serve as a devastating reboot on the human psyche. USA Today and Gallup research reveal that as much as 71% of society, at any given time, is looking to perform the minimal work possible while expecting the maximum pay. It is no wonder that the entrepreneur has become the rarest species!
Adding to the noise is the new reality influencing the personal and professional landscape. Today it’s as if everyone can be a Podcaster or a Blogger. And everyone that is unemployed or has only held a job for two years at a time, feels they are a Coach, Consultant or Trainer. In other words, they all have an opinion on how to do, but few have done.
Understanding the difference between the mind of the complacent, incompetent and an entrepreneur’s mind, is critical to self-acceleration and identifying, within others, that rare talent gene called “entrepreneurial.”
Building and assessing the BRAND of YOU and OTHERS needs a critical objective lens.
So, what does the mind of the solo entrepreneur reveal? These individuals act as catalysts to wonderment, innovation (not imitation), advancement, and capital market generation. They have a methodical Mental DNA blueprint for creation and a GPS for advancement. Many also understand their lack of business acumen and therefore are continually looking for business management talent acquisition. The Mental DNA has a mystical axis, weighted disproportionality as an entrepreneurial AmeriCAN instead of the USA TODAY/Gallup research of the newly shaped AmeriCANT.
So, what are some of the Mental DNA characteristics of an entrepreneur’s mind? Well, they are, in fact, CRAZY. They have:
- Creative approaches to the obvious which reveal alternate pathways to and beyond a goal.
- Results-oriented responsiveness to market needs and demands, and foresight to needs yet revealed.
- Attitudes of victory and a self-belief that radiates out and becomes contagious, drawing others in to help them achieve their goals.
- Zest for the unknown and a belief in possibilities, and a sense of urgency to leverage, capitalize, and execute ROI. They find connectivity where others do not and continuously explore Application opportunities to learn, apply, and advance.
- Yearning to see the best in others and situations to consistently improve life. You will find that the solo entrepreneurs surround themselves with like-minded challengers and advocates, fueling their sense of CRAZY (as viewed through the lens of outsiders). Yet, they manage to balance productive ROI for right now and evolving ROI for tomorrow.
To further understand the CRAZY mind of the solo entrepreneur, we must turn to the “Player Capability Index™” as the mental architecture for life-long development. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked with clients ranging from NASA and the DoD to Harley Davidson and Farm Credit Services to the National GUARD and NASBA. My experience has taught me that understanding the human capital talent within an entrepreneur or institutional employee comes down to a simple matrix I call “The Player Capability Index Model™.”
The more you can objectively understand the depth of what each “letter” represents in yourself and others, the more you will realize the entrepreneurial energy and the capacity of any person you meet. This formula can drive 360-degrees of talent modeling (job scoping, hiring, interviewing, task management, promotion, coaching, identifying client needs, etc.). The letters reveal both where the individual is currently and what must be done to enable them to succeed moving forward.
The formula:
C = (T2+A+P+E+C) E2 x R2 = R
R = Results
The last letter in the formula represents Results, any output or ROI desired.
C = Capability
Capability is the driver of the solo entrepreneur that enables significant results to be continuously generated. The greater the depth of any and every subsequent letter enables the Results. Conversely, the complacent among us do not draw upon any lettered capability driver, nor do they add any real-time relevant depth to any lettered category. This serves as the cancer to entrepreneurialism.
The letters within the parenthesis drive the Capability level. They are:
T2 = Training
Training is any deliverable of knowledge, whether formal or informal education, technical or non-technical education, certification-driven, or simply OTJ training. The number two represents two applications of the T. The first T is for total Training gained from birth to the present. The second is any Training they will do in the future. Entrepreneurs are always seeking more Training!
A = Attitude
Attitude must project a winner and not whiner. Exhibited as one’s passion, dedication, work ethic, commitment to execution …
P = Performance
Performance reflective of past accomplishments serves to bolster self-belief and create awareness and confidence of what can be done in the future.
E = Experiences
Experiences from birth to present tense are enormous windows through which entrepreneurs see themselves and from which one can draw strategically for entrepreneurial Results.
C = Culture
Cultural awareness and upbringing also calibrate performance and self-worth. You can draw upon this to know what you can manage. Conversely, what you fail to recognize in your past could spell disaster.
E2 = Expectations
Expectations calibrate what really shows up, the entrepreneur or the complacent individual. The first interpretation of E is your expectations of yourself. How you see yourself calibrates whether you bring your A-game or B-game to the show. The second E is the other person’s expectations of you. Knowing the two and calibrating them together allows for entrepreneurial effectiveness.
R2 = Relationships
Relationships serve as the multiplier to the entire formula. Knowing how to leverage these relationships is the secret to entrepreneurial success. Unfortunately, far too many entrepreneurs today have their energy snuffed out because of the ever-increasing circle of negative influencers and stimulants around them. Be careful with whom you spend your time!
There are two sets of Relationship imprints upon an individual. The first is representative of “past tense” relationships and the second interpretation of relationships is “future tense”, those future relationships that can be strategically and purposefully forged that can influence your successes. Understanding the solo entrepreneur mind and how to take control of your destiny by consistently using the “Player Capability Index” is the DNA that CRAZY is made from!
This model is a critical tool developed in our Leadership Mastery program. It is taught at graduate schools, Fortune 500 L&D Centers, and in our Leadership development programs, and is a key element in our graduate management text series THE MANAGERIAL-LEADERSHIP BIBLE and our personal development book YOUR TRAJECTORY CODE.
Entrepreneurial spirit and energy are at the root of any success – and lifelong learners are lifelong achievers. And, achievers are always learning. You can only replicate and steal others identities, intellectual property and resumes so long, eventually your BRAND is either the real deal or a mere imitation – who are YOU and who are those you, lead, develop, ASSOCIATE with or tolerate?
Dr. Jeff Magee (Ph.D., PDM, CSP, CMC) is the “Thought Leader’s Leader.” Jeff is the publisher of PERFORMANCE360 Magazine, Editor of Performance Execution and Performance-Driven Selling Blogs, as well as a published author of many books including Performance Execution and The Managerial-Leadership Bible.
Key Takeaways
1. Growth potential matters more than pedigree.
Jeff’s emphasis on training, attitude, and experience reinforces a simple truth: what matters most is how someone is wired to improve, adapt, and deliver, not just what titles they’ve held.
2. Experience is important, but what people do with it matters more.
The best leaders and performers draw from their lived experiences and apply that learning in meaningful ways. That adaptability often separates top performers from the rest.
3. Relationships and expectations can elevate performance.
The model’s treatment of relationships, both past and future, and personal expectations is worth considering. When those elements are aligned, people tend to deliver at a higher level.
4. Some of the structure feels more illustrative than prescriptive.
Jeff’s formula and acronyms are meant to inspire action but may not translate directly into day-to-day management tools. That’s not necessarily a flaw; just something to be aware of.
5. Use models like this to prompt conversation, not finalize conclusions.
This kind of framework works best as a starting point for deeper conversations about performance, coaching, and development. Use it to prompt discussion, not to grade people.
As always, we appreciate your comments and support.
