The Talent Stack

How to Create Your Unfair Advantage

What I have gradually learned is that it is not your strengths, but your combination of strengths that sets you apart. - James Clear

What are you good at? What are you great at?

No! What are you the best in the world at?

I’d asked myself this question my entire life. I know a lot of what I’m good at and a few things I’m great at, but beyond that, I come up blank.

At first, I wanted to be the best hockey player in the world. I was good, but I wasn’t great and far from being the best. 

With hockey out, I wanted to be the best writer in the world. I got hooked on the worlds of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and The Wheel of Time. I have a long way to go before I could do that. I’ve made a few strides, but I wouldn’t even call myself good yet. 

As I’ve done a self-analysis of myself over the years, I’ve realized that I’m good at a number of things, great at a handful of things, but the best … at nothing. 

So, where does that leave me?

The Talent Stack

Scott Adams coined the term Talent Stack. Early in his career, he realized he wasn’t special. By that, I mean Scott wasn’t in the top .1% in anything specific.

He is smart but not brilliant. 

He understands business but isn’t going to be a pioneer of industry. 

He can draw but isn’t going to paint the Mona Lisa. 

He is funny but isn’t going to be selling out Madison Square Garden. 

If Scott wanted to be the best at something, it wouldn’t be because of one skill but many skills layered on top of each other. Scott’s Talent Stack would combine skills that created a unique advantage only he possesses. 

You don't need to be the best in the world at any one skill. You can combine several good skills in a way that makes you unique and valuable.

Scott Adams uses himself as an example.

Drawing: Adams is not the best artist, but his drawing skills are good.

Humor: Scott might not be the funniest person in the world, but his humor resonates with people in business.

Business Knowledge: Adams worked in a corporate America giving him insight into the absurdities and challenges of office life.

Writing: Not the best writer, but a good writer.

Persuasion: A trained hypnotist who knows how to influence better than most. 

Combining these skills the right way sets you apart from everyone else. 

If you don’t believe me, ask Scott Adams … the creator of the comic Dilbert.

Build Your Unfair Advantage

There is a concept in business called a moat. Its origins come from the water around a castle. It’s a defensive position that protects the castle from an attack. The wider the moat, the bigger your unfair advantage.

If you have a big moat you can charge more and are less vulnerable to competition. If you don’t have a moat, you’re in a race to the bottom - who is cheaper. 

I’ve started to think of my skills in the same way. Unless you have a rare talent, the path to a bigger moat is similar for most of us. We should take a page from Scott Adams book and stack our talents together. 

It’s still a work in progress. Some of the skills I’ve identified are: 

• Leadership/Coaching

• Business

• Customer Success

• Athlete (specifically Crossfit, Hockey, MMA)

• Mindset

• Writing

• Emotional Intelligence

• Curiosity

If you are struggling to identify your skills ask yourself or your friends some of these questions: 

• When have I been at my best?

• What is it I do that is easier for me than other people?

My moat is in here somewhere.

I just need to find and develop it.

Write down your skills and think about how they can be combined in unique and valuable ways. Think about how you can combine those skills in a way that will provide a lot of value to others. If you can do that you can find your own Dilbert. 

The path to greatness is not a single strength but a combination of strengths.

Wherever your greatness lies, I hope you find it. The world needs you to discover your unfair advantage.