Comments on: Talent – I dislike that word!

By: Rose

Rose — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:46:02 +0000

Talent is much more than scarce skills. Capability is part of Talent and includes intelligence, knowledge, thinking capability and interpersonal skills. Also part of talent is the capacity build with and care for something greater than one’s own interest and this includes emotional intelligence, spiritual evolution and context awareness. Organisations have for a long time been obsessed with skills and often appointed a skilled person who did much damage to the balance of the organisation. True talent have both aptitude and attitude and will stay with organisations that have both. So before going out there to chase talent, first make sure talent will recognise your organisation as a place with the right culture, vision and mission .

By: Gregorious

Gregorious — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:45:36 +0000

I also don’t think that you can “know it when you see it”. I think that genuine talent is something that emerges over time, whether due to you not seeing the real person at first or the fact that it takes time for people to adjust to new environments. Whatever the reason, I don’t think that true talent is going to be evident just after the new person has unpacked. Rather, I think it’ll take time to confirm what you’re hoping (or not). Don’t be impatient and allow for the time it may take – even more reason why you need to be looking before the scarcity arises. Barry – we may need you back at TSA sometime to check out the talent that is emerging here…

Gregorious Smitherman

By: barry

barry — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:24:31 +0000

dunc – you need to be a talent(ed) scout

By: Dunc

Dunc — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:37:56 +0000

So Gregorious how do you know Talent when you see it? I don’t know the answer to this question? I agree with you that Talent is scarce, but when I’m sitting in front of someone, how on earth do I know if they have Talent?

Do you have another 10 cents worth to add?

Dunc

By: Gregorious

Gregorious — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:33:42 +0000

I think if you’re looking to appoint people after the skill becomes scarce then you’ve missed the boat already. It’s not to say that you can’t jump in and swim after it. Hell, often you don’t have a choice. You might find the tide’s just right and catching up is a breeze. If you do you’re lucky because, in my experience, the implications of jumping in and finding the tide is going in the opposite direction has far reaching consequences, and is much more common.

I reckon the search for “talent” should be an ongoing pursuit, whether you think you need it or not. Although “talent” is very often different to different companies, and even subjective to similar ones, one thing is for sure and that is – “talent” is scarce.

Never stop looking for it and don’t ever take it for granted when you find it.

Well, that’s my ten cents worth before the lights go out.

Regards,
Gregorious