https://turnerpsychologycalgary.com/wp-content/cache/breeze-minification/js/breeze_gifted-adults-problems-gifted-adults-encounter-in-1-150-inline_script_1.js?ver=1783899437
https://turnerpsychologycalgary.com/wp-content/cache/breeze-minification/js/breeze_gifted-adults-problems-gifted-adults-encounter-in-1-150-js-js-front-end-breeze-prefetch-links.min.js?ver=1783899437
Skip to content
Contact Book an Appointment 403.700.1776
Dr. Patricia Turner, PhD
  • Home
  • About
  • Who I Work With
    • Anxiety and Stress
    • Career Challenges
    • Depression
    • Distressing Experiences
    • Burnout
    • Gifted Adults
    • Mental Health Issues
    • Relationship Problems
    • Troubling Behaviours
  • Dr. Patricia Turner, Ph.D.
  • How I Work
  • Getting Started
  • Videos
    • From Burnout To Recovery
  • Blog
    • Anxiety and Stress
    • Burnout
    • Career Challenges
    • Depression
    • Developmental trauma
    • Distressing Experiences
    • Giftedness
    • Mental Health Issues
    • Physical health issues
    • Relationship Problems
    • Troubling Behaviours
  • Contact
  • Book an Appointment

Problems gifted adults encounter in the workplace

Written by Dr. Patricia Turner, Ph.D., R.Psych.
Posted on January 23, 2013
Updated: November 29, 2021

In the workplace, gifted adults can be perceived as “intimidating” or “threatening” by their colleagues.  Gifted adults may report being under-stimulated at work, and unable to comprehend why their ideas that would lead to greater efficiencies or profits for their companies are not acted upon. They may also experience conflicts with co-workers that they do not understand.

Gifted adults possess many positive characteristics that when understood can lead to highly valuable contributions in the workplace. These include:

  • a love of ideas and ardent discussion,
  • the ability to connect seemingly unrelated ideas,
  • being visionary,
  • being empathic,
  • thriving on challenge, and
  • having strong moral convictions.

Employers may notice that gifted adults are:

  • less motivated by rewards and praise, and
  • prone to work themselves to exhaustion.

I recommend three books on the subject of giftedness in adults.

— Dr. Patricia Turner, Registered Psychologist, Calgary, Alberta

Dr. Patricia Turner, Ph.D., R.Psych.

Dr. Patricia Turner, Ph.D., R.Psych.

Registered Psychologist — College of Alberta Psychologists

In private practice since 2009

Dr. Turner holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Arizona State University and has been in full-time private practice since 2009. Before becoming a psychologist, she worked as an engineer in corporate settings and understands the pressures of demanding careers firsthand. She helps accomplished professionals navigate burnout, anxiety, career challenges, relationship issues, and distressing experiences.

About Dr. Turner

Categories: Giftedness

Registered Psychologist, College of Alberta Psychologists ·
(403) 700-1776
· Member, Psychologists' Association of Alberta
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2009–2026 Dr. Patricia Turner, Ph.D.

443 – 25 Avenue NE, Calgary, Alberta

https://turnerpsychologycalgary.com/wp-content/cache/breeze-minification/js/breeze_gifted-adults-problems-gifted-adults-encounter-in-1-150-inline_script_2.js?ver=1783899437
https://turnerpsychologycalgary.com/wp-content/cache/breeze-minification/js/breeze_gifted-adults-problems-gifted-adults-encounter-in-1-150-assets-js-navigation.js?ver=1783899437
https://turnerpsychologycalgary.com/wp-content/cache/breeze-minification/js/breeze_gifted-adults-problems-gifted-adults-encounter-in-1-150-assets-js-header.js?ver=1783899437