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Giftedness. The word often evokes a clear image: a smart child who understands everything instantly, gets top grades, and later moves effortlessly through a successful career. But anyone who looks more closely at reality discovers something very different. Giftedness has many faces. Not only in childhood, but especially in adulthood. And that face is not always recognizable by an impressive resume or an exceptional career.
As a coach, I often meet people who went through much of their lives without knowing they were gifted. Because they didn’t get high grades. Because they never stood out, but instead adapted so well. Or because they mainly saw themselves as “sensitive,” “intense,” or “different,” and only much later discovered that these traits might be part of a broader profile. This insight often only arises at a turning point: a burnout, a sense of stagnation, or the persistent feeling of being “different” and not quite finding your place.
Six Characteristics
A good starting point for understanding giftedness in its full breadth is the Delphi model. This definition was developed in 2009 by a group of experts—scientists, professionals, and people with lived experience—who worked together to articulate what giftedness entails. They identified six core characteristics:
- High intelligence (IQ 130+)
- Creativity
- Intrinsic motivation
- Metacognition (thinking about your own thinking and learning)
- High sensitivity
- A strong need for autonomy
Many adults don’t immediately identify with the IQ score, but they do resonate with the other characteristics. They think deeply, feel intensely, are curious, critical, easily bored, and have a strong sense of justice. They are autonomous but may struggle with external expectations or a lack of space. According to the Delphi model, giftedness is not one fixed profile, but a combination of traits that can manifest in many different ways.
Patterns
This variation is also reflected in the profiles developed by researchers Betts and Neihart. They identified six types of gifted children, which turn out to be surprisingly recognizable in adults as well. Not because people fit neatly into a box, but because the patterns provide insight into how giftedness can unfold under different conditions.
Some adults adapted early in life and still do. They perform well and meet expectations, but inside they feel emptiness or confusion: who am I, really? Others withdrew, kept their ideas and emotions to themselves out of fear of rejection, and were labeled as “shy” or “unclear.”
Some developed a strong rebellious side—challenging authority, being seen as difficult—when in reality they were just disappointed that their thinking and emotions weren’t seen or understood. And then there are those who also have a diagnosis like ADHD or autism—the so-called twice-exceptional adults—whose giftedness is often overlooked or overshadowed by other traits.
What all these profiles show is this: context matters. The way your environment responds to your difference, your autonomy, your sensitivity, and your pace has a major impact on how you develop.
Development
While Betts and Neihart’s model focuses on behavior and interaction, the model by Canadian researcher Francois Gagné emphasizes development. He makes an important distinction between gifts (natural abilities) and talents (developed skills). According to Gagné, you’re born with certain potential, but it only becomes a talent when it is actively nurtured and developed.
What makes Gagné’s model especially valuable is that he acknowledges that this development can take place in many domains—not just intellectual, but also creative, social, technical, artistic, or athletic. A person may have exceptional abilities in visual thinking, dance, leadership, empathy, or physical coordination. These are all forms of giftedness that are often overlooked by traditional IQ tests.
To achieve actual performance, a variety of developmental factors are crucial: motivation, perseverance, learning conditions, guidance, environmental support, and even luck. Which means: high potential is not a guarantee for success or well-being. If, for example, your creativity was never recognized, or your sensitivity dismissed as “too much,” chances are you didn’t thrive—despite having the innate capacity to do so.
Gagné’s model gives space to people who don’t fit the classical image of the “gifted individual,” yet clearly possess exceptional qualities. It shows us that giftedness is not just about thinking—it’s also about doing, provided there’s room to grow.
No Label
Do you recognize yourself in these stories? Maybe you’re that adapter who keeps wondering if this is all there is. Maybe you’ve felt different for years, but never had the words to explain it. Or perhaps you’re just now discovering that your sensitivity, speed, or creative drive might be tied to giftedness.
If so, know this: your form of giftedness matters. It’s not a label, not a status symbol, but an invitation to better understand yourself. And to make space for what you need to truly thrive—in your work, your relationships, and the way you live your life.
Would you like to explore that together? Feel free to get in touch. In my coaching practice, I support adults seeking deeper insight, clarity, and ways to flourish in their own way. Because giftedness doesn’t have one fixed shape—it’s a path of growth. And every path is unique.
