Socially gifted person: abilities, qualities, development

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of social giftedness in the theoretical and procedural (activity) aspects. The specifics of social giftedness, conditioned by natural inclinations and acquired abilities (social intelligence, emotional intelligence, ability to interpersonal and group interaction) were determined. The development of social giftedness was revealed as a process covering the preparatory and productive phases. The preparatory phase is made up by developing a gifted personality from early childhood to adulthood, and it is subject to both spontaneous and purposeful pedagogical influences. Particular attention was paid to children’s play as an important factor in dev eloping children’s social abilities and at these me time the way they are manifested. The productive phase is considered to be the one marked by the personal and professional maturity of socially gifted individuals as public figures. It was substantiated that leadership, management, serving are the areas of activity in which socially gifted individuals most often and most effectively demonstrate their abilities. The aim of the article is to reveal the essence of social giftedness as a concept, to determine the characteristics and abilities of gifted individuals in the activity context. As a result, the essence of social giftedness was explained on the basis of its  defining feature – the subject-subject way of its realization. This, in its turn, determines the specific talents and abilities of socially gifted individuals, including such ones as self-actualization, assertiveness, constructive approach to solving problems, optimism, realistic disposition, adequate self-esteem, independence, flexibility, social perception, social solidarity, and responsibility. It was concluded that talented, charismatic leaders and managers are able to significantly improve the quality of life of the community but only on condition they adhere to moral and ethical norms and rules, subtly feel and profoundly understand the social demands and development trends. On the other hand, the community in which socially gifted individuals are formed is a prerequisite and the main driver of developing people with the charisma of leadership, management, and serving.