This is a deceptively simple question. I have always been drawn to talented people. And I have had the luxury of meeting and working with many stunningly talented people. But this is where I must add a critical caveat… the talent I am most enamored by is characterized by creativity… the ability to see things differently.
This type of talent is needed in every company. However, it is only one kind of talent. For example, the ability to read people is critical to HR, management and sales people. But many very creative people are oblivious to the emotional state of others. And the ability to focus… to receive an assignment, understand the limits of its scope and to fulfill its requirements is not necessarily tied to creativity, academic intelligence or management skills. But people with this ability to focus and fulfill make up the backbone of every successful company.
So… talent isn’t particularly important. Obtaining the right balance of talented people is.
One of my favorite books/series is by Marcus Buckingham (First Break All The Rules, etc.). He talks to the issue that most companies make the mistake of mis-using talent and leaving a huge potential untapped. Corporate America tries to hire for experience and what it says on the resume. I don't recall the exact wording but Buckingham says something to the affect that talent is defined as recurring patterns of thoughts and behaviors. The job of management is to identify and align talents with roles that need to be filled ... not to hire people and try to improve their weaknesses. Great read!!!
Posted by: Scott Jones at February 24, 2005 08:03 AM