How to Best Develop Talent in Your
Workplace

“Recently, I was asked if I was going to fire an employee who made a mistake that cost the company $600,000. No, I replied, I just spent $600,000 training him. Why would I want somebody to hire his experience?”
‍
– Thomas John Watson Sr.

Some human resource departments hire people because of what they can bring to the table on their first day. Others know that the power of a candidate lies not necessarily in their resume or existing skill sets but rather in their potential. 

Learning how to harness the power of talent development can help organizations turn promising prospects into future leaders.

What is talent development?

Talent development is the practice of helping people learn and grow in a professional environment. There are a wide variety of practitioners who may be involved with talent development ranging from

1. human resource gurus and psychologists
2. team-building experts 
3. life coaches

While the overarching goal is often to help individuals come together to achieve company goals, talent development addresses the needs of individuals first.

Talent development might focus on:

• Interpersonal skills
• Tech/computer skills
• On-the-job training
• Formal mentorships
• Leadership seminars
• Presentation/public speaking coaching

Assessing employee strengths and interests and finding the right roles for each individual is important too.

Team members who thrive separately are more prepared to help the team thrive as a whole.

What are the different areas of talent development?

There are several ways to categorize the different areas of talent development, but most experts agree on these seven:

1. Flexibility: Helping employees learn how to adapt to an ever-evolving professional environment by pivoting when necessary, investing in continuing education and fine-tuning their ability to improvise
2. Communication: Ensuring employees can communicate clearly and effectively in teams and with management, making themselves heard but also practicing active listening to better hear others
3. Diplomacy and conflict resolution: Learning how to exhibit professionalism while still having the courage of your convictions and asserting your opinion in potentially volatile situations
4. Leadership: Whether they’re leading a team of two, heading up a major project or preparing for a life-changing promotion, employees need to learn leadership skills as part of a natural professional progression
5. Project management: Time management, multi-tasking, realistic scheduling — there’s a lot that goes into understanding what you can do in a certain time frame, and those lessons are crucial
6. Creative thinking: Encouraging employees to think outside the box leads to innovation and a more competitive, future-driven organization
7. Wellness: Modern workplaces understand how significant a role self-care and stress reduction have in ensuring employee retention and lowering illness and absences

Cultivating talent with KeepWOL

KeepWOL uses a three-prong approach to talent development that puts individuals front and center while still working toward a common goal. 

By creating safe spaces, digging deep into employee psyches and encouraging empathy, KeepWOL promotes employee engagement and strengthens connections. 

Choose a “done for you” event and allow our certified experts to guide you through an immersive experience or choose a subscription and enjoy a continual resource to help you develop talent today, tomorrow and years down the line.

Schedule a free demo today to learn how KeepWOL can help you develop your talent.