The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math, and Just About Everything Else

Coyle discusses “master coaches,” coaches and teachers who have an exceptional understanding of how to nurture talent in their students.

He describes cello teacher Hans Jensen, who has an uncanny ability to adapt his teaching style to suit every student. Coyle notes what he observed about Jensen when sitting in on his lessons: Jensen became loud and impassioned when teaching a student who needed more feeling in his piece, whereas the teacher grew soft-spoken and deliberate when addressing the needs of a student who lacked strategy and technique.

He goes on to describe the coaching style of famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. Coyle tells the story of two teachers who wanted to learn how to teach better by observing talented coaches such as Wooden. The teachers discovered that Wooden planned his practices meticulously, focusing on specific skills and techniques that he wanted to teach his players. They were surprised to see that rather than giving pep talks or harsh critiques, Wooden focused on giving quick, constructive feedback in short, urgent bursts throughout the basketball practice.

Coyle discusses two types of master teachers: those who facilitate