The Market Doesn’t Care What You Love

In my last Leading On Purpose blog post (click here to read), I disagreed with Scott Galloway. Now I’d like to share something we agree on.

Click here to watch the clip.

In this clip, Scott shares something most people don’t want to hear. He says that while passion is exciting, talent pays the bills.

And honestly? He’s right. The market doesn’t reward what feels good to you. It rewards what you do exceptionally well and can deliver consistently.

I’ll add another layer to this: You don’t discover talent by sitting still. You find it by trying things.

You Don’t Find Your Talent Without Experimenting

Most people skip this part. You have to try a lot of different things to figure out:

• What you’re naturally good at
• What gives you energy instead of draining it
• What the world actually values

Along the way, you’ll likely discover many passions. That’s part of the process.

For entrepreneurs, discovering your talent often requires experimentation. You might start by testing multiple business ideas or services, quickly pivoting when something isn’t profitable, and then doubling down on the opportunities that show real traction. The key is to move fast, learn from each attempt, and pour fuel into what actually works.

For employees, the process looks a little different but follows the same principle. Taking on projects you haven’t done before, changing roles or departments, or exploring other industries can reveal where your strengths and energy align with meaningful results.

Both paths lead to the same goal: finding your sweet spot, the intersection of talent, energy, and value creation.

Talent, Competence, and Passion (They’re Not the Same Thing)

Here’s where clarity matters. Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework helps explain why some work energizes you, some drains you, and some makes you frustrated:

• Genius (Talent): Comes naturally, energizes you, and creates leverage. This is where your best work happens.
• Competency: You can do it, you do it well, but it slowly drains energy. This is sustainable but not inspiring.
• Frustration: Work that feels impossible, unaligned, or exhausting. Avoid living here as burnout is inevitable.

The goal: spend most of your time in your Genius areas, some in Competency, and minimize time in Frustration.

Not Every Passion Needs a Paycheck

A little dose of reality for you dreamers... Some passions are meant to be:

• Hobbies
• Creative outlets
• Side pursuits
• Sources of joy, not income

Trying to force every passion into a career is how people end up frustrated, burnt out, or financially stressed. Sometimes the smartest move is to put a passion on the back burner until you’ve built enough stability to enjoy it freely without pressure.

Talent Creates Leverage. Leverage Creates Freedom.

Galloway built his career by identifying what he was objectively good at and scaling it with discipline. That’s the move everyone should be making.

When you align:

1️⃣ Natural talent

2️⃣ Energy-producing work (Genius)

3️⃣ Market demand

Results compound faster. Once progress starts stacking, passion often follows. Not because you chased it, but because winning feels good when you’re aligned.

Try this reflection to see where you are operating:

• What work do people consistently come to you for?
• What tasks make time disappear for you?
• What responsibilities drain you even when you do them well?

Map your answers to Working Genius: are you in Genius, Competency, or Frustration?

The answers are usually quieter than we expect, but far more accurate.

Competence Is the Silent Burnout Trap

Most people aren’t doing work they’re bad at. They’re doing work they’re competent at. They can do it. They do it well. It just doesn’t give them life. So anything that sparks even a little energy feels like passion when what’s really missing is alignment with Genius.

If you have a great talent, use it. Refine it. Scale it. Let it bankroll your freedom.

Your passions don’t disappear when you do this... They get options! And options beat wishful thinking every time.

What are you naturally good at that you’ve been underusing and what would happen if you doubled down on it?

Doing the right work on purpose changes everything.