Skills and Talent Intelligence: Mining, Alchemy, or Science?

In the ever-evolving landscape of talent management, we've long heard the narrative of finding our talent gems, finding our gold within our organizations. This analogy suggests that somewhere, lying around in the bush, or buried within our workforce are precious nuggets of talent, waiting to be discovered. This is frequently rehashed on LinkedIn, even just today, shared by respected leaders in HR and Talent Transformation, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65095925

But is this perspective truly serving us in our quest to build the capabilities organizations need?

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The Gold Rush Mentality: A Critical Look

In Talent Acquisition, we see this manifested in the push for "more candidates in the funnel" - a volume-based strategy of sourcing or sifting that hopes to yield more "nuggets" through sheer quantity.

The "gold rush" approach to talent has led us down a path that mimics the mineral extraction industry, from simple panning to industrial-scale strip mining operations.

But let's pause and consider: Is this sustainable? Is it effective? Just as we've learned hard lessons about the environmental impact of large-scale mining, we must question the consequences of this approach in our organizations. What about the people who aren't deemed "golden nuggets"? What potential are we overlooking? How do they feel, where do they metaphorically feel they’ve been tossed on to, the spoils?

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From Mining to Growth: A Paradigm Shift

Instead of viewing skills as a rare and finite resource to be extracted, what if we saw them as something to be cultivated and grown? ?While both scarce that creates some sort of implied and managed value, this is where the diamond analogy becomes more compelling.

The value of gold as meant that people being people have been trying to shortcut their way to wealth in creating or transforming other metals into gold, the science of alchemy. These Alchemists have over millennia so far failed to be able to turn lead into gold, or whatever else they’ve tried.

Diamonds were once as gold, solely obtained through the luck of kicking over a rock in the desert, or extensive mining operations where scarcity and corporate hoarding and manipulation drove higher value. But in the 1950s, a revolutionary change occurred: the innovation of lab-grown diamonds. This shift transformed the industry, making these precious gems more accessible and sustainable.

In the realm of skills, we can draw a powerful parallel:

1.????? Lab-grown diamonds are 30-40% less expensive than mined diamonds.

2.????? Growing internal skills costs about much less than external hiring, >30% for salary premiums, etc.

Coincidence? Maybe, but this cultivation of gems is a principle we can apply to talent development and has transformed the industrial use of diamonds.

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The Science of Skills: Nurturing Your Organizational Ecosystem

By shifting our focus from "mining" to "growing," we open up a world of possibilities:

1.????? Sustainable Development: Instead of depleting our resources, we're constantly renewing and expanding them.

2.????? Inclusivity: Everyone in the organization becomes part of the growth process, not just the "golden few."

3.????? Customization: We can cultivate the exact skills our organization needs, tailored to our unique challenges and goals.

4.????? Long-term Value: By investing in skill development, we create a self-sustaining cycle of growth and innovation.

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A Call to Action: Grow Your Organizational Diamonds

As we look to the future of talent management, let's move beyond the limited perspective of "mining for gold." and the fake science of alchemy. Instead, let's embrace the real science of skills - a approach that sees potential in every employee and actively works to nurture and develop that potential.

Remember: You can't hire your way out of a skills gap, but you can grow your way out.

By fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, we're not just finding talent - we're creating it. We're not just filling positions - we're building a thriving, adaptable, sustainable skilled workforce ready for whatever challenges the future may bring.

Let's stop digging for gold and start growing industrial skills. The future of our organizations - and our people - depends on it.