Gifted but Gated: Doing the Work That Matters“Don’t just package yourself to look good; position yourself to do good.”— Bernard Kelvin CliveWe’re continuing our series on Gifted but Gated—a deep dive into doing the work that truly matters and building a personal brand that cuts across borders, breaks barriers, and outlives businesses. Today, I want us to explore something personal, something practical.Discovering the GiftYears ago, while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, I pursued a program at the College of Art, Rural Art. Among the many disciplines we studied, one stood out to me—Sculpture, specifically the course titled “Wood Work.” It was a fascinating class, though quite different from the kind of art I naturally gravitated toward.I remember some of my classmates like Kwame Kyere Diabour and Preko George—these guys were extraordinary. They could pick up an ordinary log of wood, make a few chalk or pencil markings, and start carving. In no time, beautiful figures and forms would emerge from the wood. I often stood in awe. I would ask myself, “Where did they see that image?”I tried. I did. I attempted to carve, I observed, and I even tried to understand the science or logic behind it, but it just didn’t click for me. While I had artistic skills in other areas, when it came to sculpture, I couldn’t see what they saw or feel what they felt. It was then I realized something critical—there are different kinds of gifts.Understanding Your Zone of GeniusWe all have a desire to do great things, to learn, to grow—but there is always that one area, that space, where you fit most naturally. There’s something you were uniquely wired to do—and when you do it, it flows. Others might try to learn the same thing, but they won’t quite execute it the way you do. That’s the difference between skill and giftedness.Your gift is often the place where work stops feeling like work. It becomes a joy. A calling. A way of expressing the excellence and grace that was deposited in you from birth.As Michelangelo once said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” That’s the essence of true gifting—seeing what others can’t and bringing it to life.The Work That MattersSo, I ask you: What do you see in your craft, in your career, in your art?Maybe, like me, you’re able to write and bring out creative content that others might not be able to conceptualize. Maybe you see systems where others see confusion. Maybe you inspire people with your voice or your ability to listen.That’s your gift.Find your space. Discover your voice. Lean into your gifting and build your career or business from that place. When you align your gift with your purpose, work transforms from duty into delight. You’re not just sacrificing your time—you’re pouring out your essence. And the world notices.From Gift to BrandThis is where brand building begins—from the inside out. The foundation of an authentic personal brand is not a fancy logo, a curated social media page, or a string of buzzwords. No. It starts with the recognition and refinement of your gift.You take that gift, add skill, and begin to polish it. You sharpen your craft through practice, learning, and feedback. That’s how mastery is built. When you speak, write, design, build, or consult—your expertise shows. It shines through in your delivery.Branding that lasts is branding that is born from your gift.Skill and ExecutionMany people today fall into the trap of polishing without substance. You see it all over LinkedIn and social media—people packaging themselves to look polished online, but when hired, they fail to deliver. The execution doesn’t match the presentation. This is a major problem.If you’re not rooted in gifting, if you haven’t put in the work to develop your skill, the results will expose you.