Beyond Transformational Giftedness

Abstract

This article discusses kinds of transformational giftedness, or giftedness that makes a positive, meaningful, and possibly enduring difference to the world. We extend previous work by suggesting that there are two kinds of transformation that matter: self-transformation and other-transformation. Combining these two kinds of transformation yields a 2 × 2 grid of four kinds of giftedness: non-transformational giftedness (no transformation), transformational giftedness (self- and other-transformation combined), self-realized giftedness (whereby one transforms oneself but not others), and other-realized giftedness (whereby one transforms others but not oneself). We open with a discussion of some of the history of conceptions of giftedness. Then we discuss transformational giftedness as it has been defined in the recent past. We then introduce our concepts of self- and other-transformation. We also describe two other kinds of giftedness—inert giftedness, which is giftedness in personal attributes that has not been realized in interactions with others and the world; and transactional giftedness, which is a give-and-take form of giftedness whereby one meets certain societal expectations in exchange for being identified as gifted. We finally conclude that the gifted movement needs to focus much more on developing transformational giftedness, or at least the potential for it, in our young people.

Identify Transformational, Not Just Transactional Giftedness!

“…In some recent writing (e.g., Sternberg, 2020aSternberg, , 2020bSternberg, , 2021Sternberg et al, 2021) extending previous literature on kinds of leadership (Bass & Riggio, 2006), it has been suggested that society view giftedness as comprising at least two complementary kinds-transactional and transformational. The kinds differ not in level of gifts, but rather in deployment of gifts-how individuals choose to utilize their giftedness.…”

“…Can such transformationally gifted individuals be identified as young people? A recently published fully open-access scale can be used to measure transformational giftedness (see Sternberg et al, 2021). It is not designed to replace traditionally transactionally-oriented measures.…”

From Leading to Guiding, Facilitating, and Inspiring: A Needed Shift for the 21st Century

“…An interesting parallel is in the recent writing of Sternberg [6,28]. He separates gifted people into the same two types, presenting evidence that methods for defining giftedness and identifying gifted people now and in the in the past have resulted in selecting those who are transactionally gifted.…”

“…We need to identify and cultivate giftedness that is transformative, "that by its very nature seeks positively to change the world at some level-to make the world a better place" [6] p. 231. He further expands the concept to include both self-and other-transformation [28]. This is not a new concept.…”

Transformational Creativity: The Link between Creativity, Wisdom, and the Solution of Global Problems

“…Or anywhere, really? I believe a clue can be found in a recently proposed concept of transformational giftedness [24][25][26]. The basic idea of the concept, building on the concepts of transformational and transactional leadership, is that giftedness can be divided into two main kinds-transactional and transformational [27][28][29].…”