Talent management is the company seen through the eyes of its employees. Almost everything I’ve read about talent management looks at it from the company perspective. In The Executive Guide to Integrated Talent Management, for example, Peter Cappelli says that a common definition of the term is:
“Getting the right people with the right skills into the right jobs”
That’s perfect from the company’s side. But I’m a person and what I want to know is what my days and my future will be like. So help me.
Help me find you and find out about you. I want to know if we have the same values, if people like me thrive in your company. Tell me about the work I’ll be doing and the people I’ll be working with. Help me imagine myself on the inside.
Make my first days at work exciting and interesting. Get me onboard and productive quickly. Give me interesting and meaningful work. Give me as much control as possible over the things I do.
Give me a manager who understands that his or her job includes helping me develop, and who will help me coordinate my development. Make development part of my work life, not a special event.
Help me learn, don’t just send me to class. Learning is a natural human activity, it should be a natural part of work, too.
Give me opportunities to grow and discover. Temporary assignments and task forces can help me learn more about myself and develop skills you’ll want me to use.
Here’s the bottom line. I’m willing to jump in and do my part, but you must do your part as well.
