Will HR analytics remake leadership development?
Evidently HR analytics is the next big thing that will transform life as we know it and make leadership development practically perfect in every way. It’s inevitable according to many commentators.
When you read articles like “Is HR Ready For the Coming Boom in Metrics and Analytics?” it’s easy to get swept up in the enthusiasm. Here’s a key paragraph.
“Just like the hottest fashion, the latest technology or the coolest song, Metrics and Analytics has risen to the top of the charts and is the hottest topic of the day.”
Yep, it’s like the hottest fashion. The way we see it now will be very different just a little way down the road. It’s clear that HR practice in general, including leadership development may be transformed by technology, but probably not the way we think today.
Peter Drucker and the Hype Cycle
Years ago, Peter Drucker told us that we only know two things about the future. We know it will be different but we can’t know the details.
We can be sure that any big, new technology or practice is likely to follow the Hype Cycle. First we will be told that the new big thing will accomplish great results with great ease and no cost. That’s the hype part of the cycle. After that will come debunking and then we’ll settle in to make it all work.
The key questions are about leadership development
The most important thing to remember is that the key questions for leadership development don’t have anything to do with technology. The key questions are about people and business. Ask those questions when you’re confronted with new technology.
Seize the leadership development opportunity
Here’s the real promise of analytics for leadership development. It can be your excuse to transform your leadership development practice. Seize that opportunity and make the future brighter.
