Network support of talented people

TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of network support for talented individuals, highlighting large-scale talent networks in Hungary and Europe, and emphasizing the role of talented people as central, dynamic nodes in social networks that facilitate adaptive responses.

Contribution

It introduces the structure and impact of European and Hungarian talent support networks, emphasizing the role of talented individuals as key, adaptable nodes in social systems.

Findings

Large talent networks involve thousands of individuals and organizations.

Talented people occupy central, dynamic positions in social networks.

Network involvement enhances adaptive and learning processes.

Abstract

Network support is a key success factor for talented people. As an example, the Hungarian Talent Support Network involves close to 1500 Talent Points and more than 200,000 people. This network started the Hungarian Templeton Program identifying and helping 315 exceptional cognitive talents. This network is a part of the European Talent Support Network initiated by the European Council for High Ability involving more than 300 organizations in over 30 countries in Europe and extending in other continents. These networks are giving good examples that talented people often occupy a central, but highly dynamic position in social networks. The involvement of such 'creative nodes' in network-related decision making processes is vital, especially in novel environmental challenges. Such adaptive/learning responses characterize a large variety of complex systems from proteins, through brains to society. It is crucial for talent support programs to use these networking and learning processes to increase their efficiency further.