Finding Your Zone of Genius and What's Right for You (with Tali Slonim)

 In this inspiring conversation, Tali Slonim, CEO and founder of The Stretcher and author of "Unleash Your Talent," shares her journey from corporate HR executive to entrepreneur, coach, and author. Together, Chedva and Tali explore the concept of the "zone of genius" - that sweet spot where passion meets ability - and how major life changes like divorce, loss, and global events can force us to reevaluate our priorities. Tali opens up about her transformation from workaholic to someone who has found sustainable success by questioning traditional work paradigms and asking herself what's truly right for her. The conversation touches on the power of daily writing, the importance of bringing your whole self to work, and how vulnerability and authenticity in business can actually increase credibility and trust.

Key Topics:

• The zone of genius: where passion and ability intersect
• Transitioning from corporate workaholic to balanced entrepreneur
• How major life events (divorce, loss, COVID, war) reshape priorities
• The slash (multi-hyphenate)  lifestyle: managing multiple roles and identities
• Daily writing as a practice for self-discovery and connection
• Bringing authenticity and vulnerability to professional spaces
• The importance of questioning "what's right for me" vs. external expectations
• How personal tragedies can provide life perspective and proportionality
• Writing a book in three months while in flow state
• Creating physical spaces that reflect and support your work

Notable Quotes:

• "When you work in what you're passionate about, it only looks like work. It doesn't feel like work."
• "We are both recovered workaholics."
• "On your stone, no one writes 'she didn't spend enough time at work' or 'she was a great HR executive.' People always talk about the kind of friend you were, about the kind of mother, the kind of person you were."
• "Once you're in [the zone of genius], it almost feels like you're volunteering, because it's stuff that you would be ready to do for free."
• "Work is important but it's not everything... It's part of my life. I'm also other things. It's not 100% of my identity."

 

Tali's Powerful Question: "What's truly right for me? What's right for my values, what's right for my long-term journey, what makes me feel good even physically."

Resources Mentioned:

• "Unleash Your Talent" by Tali Slonim
• Tali Slonim on Linkedin
• "The Big Leap" by Dr. Gay Hendricks (zone of genius concept)
• CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) coaching methodology
• Get access to CuriosityGPT and find your gateway questions
• Connect with your leader mindset and walk out with an actionable roadmap and insights that you actually want to follow - join the Curiosity Lab