TALENTS AND OUR TEAM!

Before there was talent, there were people. Over the years, the workplace has often succeeded in separating talent from the people behind it. We’ve placed immense priority on competencies and experience, often sidelining the very soil, the people, in which talent grows and thrives. This approach has made organizations favor experience over willingness and task completion over alignment with the organization’s vision.

I’ll admit that I have a knack for spotting talent. I can identify great talent eight times out of ten, and I say this with every sense of confidence. However, I’ve learned that retaining talent is far more costly than investing in and developing your people. When we neglect to nurture the people behind the talent, we miss the chance to cultivate employees who are aligned, engaged, and transformative.

Scott Hutcheson 's article, “Three-Pipe Thinking: A Leadership Approach to Better Decisions,” brilliantly encapsulates this idea. His insight on creating space for strategic reflection to improve decision-making resonates deeply with me. Leadership decisions have a profound influence on how employees perceive themselves. Are they just tools to get the job done, or are they integral contributors to the business? The answer shapes their attitude toward work and the company.

Scott Hutcheson ’s framework urges leaders to move from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making, a mindset that is not just about addressing the immediate but also about mitigating future challenges. This shift fosters thoughtful, strategic approaches to leadership.

Ultimately, the balance lies in recognizing the dual importance of people and talent. Teams should feel like they are not just transactional workers but transformational contributors. When we hire, let’s focus on finding people with talents, whether potential or well-developed, who understand the value of ownership. This ensures we stay on a path of sustained transformation.

Do not just hire talent to get the job done. Hire people with talent who align with your vision and have the potential to grow with your organization. Leadership’s responsibility is not just to solve today’s problems but to create a workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges. #GODSEAGLE