Do you feel that you are not fully living up to your potential at work? Or are you about to make an important life choice in terms of work, education or development? It might be the perfect timing for a core talents analysis. This will give you clear insight in what is ‘more yourself’ and ‘less yourself’, allowing you to consciously choose the right path.
The games and creative outlets we are drawn to as children reveal a lot about our talents and possibilities as adults.
I wrote this in my book VOICE a few years ago, based on experiences with my own fragmented career path and rediscovering my creative potential. This was before I ever heard of core talents. Not long after, I learned that there is a scientifically validated method which identifies your personality and talents, based on things you did or didn’t like to do in your childhood. Of course, I thought this was fascinating…
What are core talents?
A core talents analysis offers understanding of your nature, potential and intrinsic motivation. Your personal constellation of 23 core talents provides an accurate and complete profile of what drives you, how you can develop yourself further and which activities (work or private) suit you best: what exactly energises, and what drains you?
Many other talent assessments offer insight into competencies or ‘developed talents’. Core talents are fundamentally different, since they reveal other possible characteristics than competencies: talents in the bud that you have not yet developed, and those competencies which you have developed, but nonetheless cost you energy. Almost all of your developed competencies can be traced down to one of your core talents: strong, moderate or small.
Core talents are unique: analysis is based on your childhood between the ages of 4 and 12, so it is not a snapshot. It is your play behaviour as a child which determines your core talents profile. The analysis is therefore truly objective, because you are not assessing yourself as an adult. Instead, you’re exclusively observing what you really enjoyed doing as a child.
Moreover, there are about 94 billion possible different profiles, and all core talents are interconnected in how they express themselves. The outcome is therefore particularly personalised, nuanced and multi-layered. There is no single ‘type’ of personality that emerges. This means that characteristics that are often seen as contradictory, can usually be part of the same profile. Think about, for instance, of being ‘very creative’ as well as ‘very rational’, or being ‘easily overstimulated’ as well as ‘super social’. After being analysed, the base of your personality is on the table: your strengths and vulnerabilities, the talents you have already developed, and the potential which can still be developed.
Who will benefit
Core talent analysis will fit everyone and is useful at every stage of life:
Study choices
You are undecisive about the type of education to pursue, or what suits you best. Analysis is available for individuals aged 15 years and older.
Newbees to the job market
Which job suits you best? Are the career choices you have made so far truly intrinsic, or have they been imposed by your environment?
Burn-out and bore-out
When you can apply your strong core talents at work, this will energise you. But if you don’t get the opportunity to do so, there is a risk of bore-out. On the other hand, if your job requires you to frequently use your small core talents, there is a risk of burn-out.
Career switch
You have already had a successful career, and you are ready for the next step. Or perhaps you have hit a wall in your career, and you are unsure about how to proceed.
Relationships
Do you often find yourself at odds with others, either privately or at work? Core talents analysis offers insight into certain characteristics you do and don’t have, and how every person is different in this respect. The method does not judge and contributes to a better understanding of how you and others are part of a vast diversity of traits amongst people.
Giftedness
The method was awarded the Mensa Award in 2015 and has been assessed as objective, independent and culturally, linguistically, and gender neutral. To date, it is the only personality analysis that has been found suitable for gifted individuals.
This is how it works
Questionnaire
We will schedule an appointment for the analysis. This can be online or on site, in my studio in Amsterdam. Beforehand, you will complete an online questionnaire at home. This questionnaire will take you back to your childhood, and you will find that all kinds of memories come flooding back. (20-30 minutes)
Analysis and in-depth interview
During analysis we will discuss the questionnaire. Based on what you tell me, I will determine your core talents. Next, ‘ll explain your personal constellation: which core talents are strong, moderate, and small? How do they interact and what does this mean for you? What should you keep in mind when making choices? Then I’ll ask you about your life and career. In this interview, we connect your core talents to the choices you have made and how you have developed. (4 hours)
Report
Within two weeks, you will receive your core talents analysis report. If you opt for the personalized version, this will be a comprehensive, nuanced, and personal report of approximately fifty pages covering everything that was discussed during the analysis: a description of your core talents, how they interact with each other, and how they manifest themselves in your personal life story.
Debriefing
Based on the report, we will hold a closing session during which you can ask questions and we can deepen the analysis. (1 hour)
Optional: further coaching
If you feel the need, we can continue working on your development question in a number of sessions to be agreed upon.
Afer the analysis
- You have more clarity about what gives you energy, and what you should avoid
- You can better assess whether a job or study program is a good fit, and why
- You have concrete tools to avoid stress, burn-out and bore-out
- You have a report that can serve as a life long guide for important choices and other life events
Clarity call
Are you interested in this type of coaching and would you like to know more? In that case I’ll invite you for a free, 30 minute clarity call by phone. In the interview we will formulate your request for help and we can both decide whether I’m the right coach for you. Contact me to book your free clarity call, or for more information.
Pricing core talents analysis 2025
Standard
- € 650,- including VAT for individuals or excluding VAT for self-employed people/zzp’ers with income lower than avergae
- € 850,- including VAT for individuals or excluding VAT for self-employed people/zzp’ers with avergae income or higher
- € 1.000,- excluding VAT for companies
For this you’ll get:
- Analysis plus interpretation of your core talents
- In-depth interview about the course of your live, with particular attention to your development question
- Standard report of ±25 pages
- Debriefing
Personalised
- € 1.100,- including VAT for individuals or excluding VAT for self-employed people/zzp’ers with income lower than average
- € 1.450,- including VAT for individuals or excluding VAT for self-employed people/zzp’ers with average income or higher
- € 1.750,- excluding VAT for companies
For this you’ll get:
- Analysis plus interpretation of your core talents
- In-depth interview about the course of your live, with particular attention to your development question
- Extended, personalised and nuanced tailor-made report including elaboration of the in-depth interview and advice on your development question of ±50 pages
- Debriefing
Personal growth
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Emotion regulation
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Voice training
Communicate with decisiveness and expressiveness
Core talents analysis
Understanding of your nature, potential and intrinsic motivation
Book
VOICE: A Multifaceted Approach to Self-Growth and Vocal Empowerment
Why price differentiation? Read further
There are several possibilities to finance the coaching program. Does your employer offer a personal development budget, or are you eligible for outplacement? Feel also free to contact me to inquire about the possibilities if your budget is insufficient, like spread payments.
Testimonials
“The core talent analysis was so much fun! Thinking back to what I loved doing as a child, reminded me of who I am when I’m most true to my experience, beyond norms and roles. It offers an honest, sharpening, and at the same time playful and carefree form of self-reflection. You need to be direct about what is truly enjoyable, that what makes your heart beat faster. In other words, it challenges you to go all out for what makes you unique. In addition, it sheds a fresh light on challenges in both your professional and personal life. Laura’s careful, attentive, and empathetic guidance is also highly recommended. Thank you.”
Lotte, teacher, coach, trainer