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Portrait de Vincent Lahouze, écrivain HPI

Gifted Interview #22 | Vincent Lahouze

The Gifted Interview asks gifted and talented adults about their relationship with (their) giftedness in order to demystify, inspire and blossom with this difference.

Today, Vincent Lahouze shares his vision of giftedness through the Gifted Interview. Thank you, Vincent! He is an author, social and sociocultural worker. Vincent currently lives in Geneva, Switerzland.

.IF I COULD CHOOSE, WOULD I STILL BE GIFTED?

Yes, of course, I would, I don’t see myself otherwise anymore.

.WHAT (MY OWN) GIFTEDNESS MEANS TO ME

I see it as an invisible super-power, sometimes disabling, sometimes saving.

.IF I HAD TO CHOOSE AN IMAGE OR A KEYWORD THAT SUMS UP WHAT GIFTEDNESS MEANS

A mirror that would project thousands of reflections, thousands of facets.

.HOW LONG HAVE I KNOWN ABOUT IT? 

Since my 25th birthday, I am now 33 years old.

.WHAT PHASES HAVE I GONE THROUGH SINCE MY DISCOVERY?

More incomprehension than relief, a little anger too, then finally, you get used to it, you accept to be like that.

.HOW DO I EXPLAIN IT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT?

Generally, I only talk about it very rarely but if I have to, I say I’m a zebra, with my own stripes.

NB by Gloria: “zebra” is a word used in France to describe gifted people.

.THE REMARK WHICH BLEW ME AWAY MOST WHEN I TALKED ABOUT IT 

“But then, why don’t you do a job that’ll make you millions if you’re so smart?” Ah. I hadn’t thought of that, sorry…

.HOW IT CHANGED MY LIFE (TO KNOW IT) 

Honestly, nothing at all, it hasn’t changed my view of the world, nor the world view of me. I keep moving forward.

.WHAT I HAVE ALLOWED MYSELF TO DO EVER SINCE

On the other hand, I allow myself more to express my feelings, especially for a man, it’s more complicated to do (thank you society).

.WHAT IT CREATES TO OTHERS WHEN I TALK ABOUT IT

Jealousy, envy, and incomprehension above all.

.WHAT IRRITATES ME WITH GIFTEDNESS 

Many people think that you give yourself a “style”, that you want to make yourself interesting. It’s wearing out.

.WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ABOUT GIFTEDNESS 

Giftedness is not a fashion effect, you don’t improvise being Gifted because you feel out of step, it’s disrespectful to others, I think.

 .WHAT I PERSONALLY FIND TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT  

Knowing that being Gifted does not necessarily mean being happy.

.WHAT I PERSONALLY LOVE 

Having that feeling of dizziness when the brain goes all over the place.

.MY WELL-BEING TOOL OR PRACTICE THAT HELPS ME MOST

Running and writing, always

 .A MISREPRESENTATION THAT I WANT TO CALL INTO QUESTION

Giftedness is not a disease, does not mean that we are top of the class, that intelligence of the heart is not always intelligence of the brain!

.WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO GIFTED PEOPLE  

Experiment, don’t be afraid to go beyond your own limits, either you win or you learn.

.WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CONCERNED 

Our IQ number does not define us.

.WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE WHO IS WONDERING 

If you feel you need to know, then take the steps… After all, you have nothing to lose again…

.THE MISTAKE NOT TO MAKE FOR A GIFTED PERSON

Believing yourself to be superior to others, gifted or not, remain humble, you will always be behind someone, life is not a competition.

.MY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FOR GIFTED

Use your skills and abilities to work for good, not to crush others.

.MY PERSONAL ADVICE FOR GIFTED

Be in the exchange, in the dialogue, try to explain your reasoning, so that the person understands you better. That will avoid a lot of arguments, I think…

 .A BOOK TO READ ON THE SUBJECT

“I think too much” by Christel Petitcollin

.MY OPINION ABOUT THE IQ WAIS TEST

I think we should not focus too much on these numbers, which also change over time…

 .IS IT A WASTE NOT TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GIFTED? 

No, of course not!

.WHEN I MEET ANOTHER GIFTED PERSON, DO I RECOGNIZE HIM.HER? BY WHAT? 

There is something in the eyes, in the way they express themselves, in real life, or on social networks. I don’t know why or how, but we recognise each other, despite the different stripes*.

*referring to the “Zebra Stripes.

.WHAT DO GIFTED PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

The desire to be a better person, I think.

.THE LAST THING I LEARNED ON THE SUBJECT (THAT I’D LIKE TO SHARE) 

Don’t be alone, be supported, but don’t consider yourself as unique either!

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3 keys to deepen your reflection on your professional achievement adapted to the needs of neurodivergent profiles (highly sensitive, multipotentialite, gifted).

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The assessment covers the following themes: work, care of the body, heart and mind, consciousness and spirituality, environment and fundamental well-being.