I am the mother of an artist who sees the world differently from me and many others. Throughout her education, I watched her try to figure out where she fit in, realizing early on that standardized tests did not measure her unique talent and intellect. As she approaches her 26th birthday, my daughter has discovered her “hidden genius” and is thriving as a visual artist and writer. A new book, Your Hidden Genius: The Science-Backed Strategy to Uncovering & Harnessing Your Innate Talents, authored by Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison, is designed to help readers discover and build upon their uniqueness, thereby enhancing their professional and personal happiness.
Rigorously researched and boasting engaging stories, the book helps readers examine their unique personality traits, navigate career choices, and enhance their personal growth. Most importantly, Wills and Ellison want their readers to achieve a more satisfying life.
Intrigued by the book, I wanted to know more, so I contacted the authors for an interview. I asked them to define “hidden genius” and to share some of the most unexpected ways it manifests in people’s lives. According to Wills and Ellison, “We all have a hidden genius—innate abilities that shape how we think, solve problems, and create. The challenge is that we often overlook or “discount” these aptitudes because they come so naturally. Many people spend years working harder instead of realizing they’re simply in the wrong lane. If you don’t know your aptitudes, you’re flying blind.”
Their book provides compelling examples:
- A student struggling in traditional academics who has an extraordinary ability to visualize complex structures, a skill crucial for engineering or designers.
- Someone labeled “distracted” who can recognize patterns and make connections is ideal for investigative journalism or research.
- A person dismissed as “too scattered” but who might be a prolific innovator who can generate rapid and creative solutions.
- Hands-on learners who struggle in school but often excel as surgeons, artisans, or athletes.
Wills and Ellison believe that once people uncover their hidden genius, new doors open—”whether it’s thriving in a new career, stepping into leadership, or finding a vocation that brings purpose.” They remind readers, “It’s never too early or too late to align with what you were built to do.”
I also asked what practical steps readers can take to uncover their hidden genius. Wills and Ellison suggest that people begin by noticing what naturally energizes them. Specifically, they suggested readers ask themselves, “What activities make time fly?” They recommend that readers seek out objective insight, noting that “many of us are blind to our own strengths. Ask colleagues, mentors, or friends: What do I do effortlessly?” After doing so, Wills and Ellison suggest that readers experiment: “Take on new challenges, explore different roles, and apply your abilities in real-world situations. Discovery happens through action.”
As a professor and someone working with young people daily as a teacher and mentor, I was interested in what educators like myself could do to recognize and cultivate hidden genius and potential in others. Wills and Ellison shared, “We need to shift from fixing weaknesses to amplifying strengths. The best mentors recognize hidden talents before individuals do.” They reminded me that the “‘distracted’ student might be wired for innovation. The ‘quiet’ employee may have exceptional spatial reasoning. Encouraging exploration, challenging outdated success models, and supporting career pivots all help people align their work with their natural strengths. People are waiting for permission to use their gifts—the best leaders extend that invitation.”
Given my research related to race, gender, and equity, I wanted Wills and Ellison to talk a bit about the barriers that marginalized communities face in finding opportunities to develop their talents. According to the authors, “For decades, career guidance has relied on interest and personality surveys—not because career professionals were unaware of the power of aptitudes, but because measuring them at scale was prohibitively expensive. The problem? Interests are shaped by exposure and change over time, but aptitudes remain stable. This has led to generations of students and professionals being guided by what they think they might enjoy rather than what they are innately wired to do well.”
One of the bonuses in the book is that it includes access to the YouScience Aptitude Assessment, which measures cognitive abilities. A University of Missouri study on the aptitude assessment shows how relying entirely on an individual’s interests can unintentionally reinforce gender gaps in high-opportunity fields. The study found
Women have the spatial reasoning skills needed for STEM careers but are rarely encouraged toward them. Girls perform as well as or better than boys in spatial reasoning—an aptitude critical for engineering, architecture, and technology careers. Yet, they are far less likely to be steered into those fields.
Men with strong aptitudes for healthcare, education, and design are often overlooked. Despite their natural strengths in problem-solving, communication, and visual-spatial reasoning, traditional interest-based surveys rarely suggest these fields to men.
Interest surveys reinforce stereotypes. Because students can’t be interested in careers they’ve never been exposed to, these surveys reflect existing biases rather than true potential. This disproportionately affects marginalized communities with limited access to role models in high-growth fields.
According to Wills and Ellison, with their book, they are working to “change the equation.” By making aptitude discovery widely available, “it ensures people are guided toward careers where they will thrive—not just those they’ve been socially conditioned to consider. Aptitudes democratize self-discovery so that talent—not access or privilege—determines opportunity.”
The authors believe that when aptitudes replace outdated interest-based models, career pathways can open up in a way that is “gender-inclusive, equitable, and built on ability—not assumption.” Moreover, Wills and Ellison are hopeful and think, “This shift has the power to create a more diverse, high-performing workforce where people are in the right roles based on what they are truly built to do.”
Reflecting on my daughter’s journey, I see the value in uncovering one’s hidden genius. Her path as an artist and writer was not predetermined by traditional measures of success but by her innate talents and passions. Your Hidden Genius is a compelling reminder that each of us has unique strengths waiting to be recognized and nurtured. If we embrace this approach—whether as individuals, educators, or mentors—we can create a world where people are empowered to thrive in their professional careers and move closer to happiness in their aspirations.