A zone of genius is something described by psychologist Gay Hendricks in his book The Big Leap.

Here, Hendricks talks about 4 “zones of function”:

The incompetence zone: This is where you aren’t good at your work because you lack the right skills and understanding.

The competence zone: This is where you’re efficient at your work, but you don’t stand out or offer anything unique compared to other people performing the same tasks. You simply get the job done to a satisfactory level.

The excellence zone: This is where you are super skilled in your work and have likely cultivated, established, and practised this over time. In comparison to others, you are exceptionally good.

The genius zone: This is where your greatest passion meets your natural talents, and you can capitalise on your innate abilities.

Condition 2 and 3 are mutually exclusive.

Unique Ability, by definition, is the essence of what you love to do and do best. It’s your own set of natural talents and the passion that fuels you to contribute in the ways that most motivate you. When articulated, it describes the “you” that makes you who you are.