Talent Management: A Critical Way To Integrate & Embed Diversity

3. Defining Talent and Talent Mindset

Let's start with the basics -- it is critical that we have a full understanding of Talent -- and Talent Mindset. Some organizations believe they work in talent management, but they really are focusing on the top of the house - leadership and high potential employees.

On the other hand, those organizations that have rigorous Talent Management approaches apply a much richer definition of Talent: "Individuals who have the capability to make a significant difference to the current and future performance of the company." This definition takes both a near and long-term view. It is not title or position-related. In fact, it has no constraints at all.

A Talent Mindset is the belief that talent is critical to the organization, now and in the future. It is the belief that talent differentiates organizational culture and breeds competitive advantage, with benefits for both the individual and for the organization. Furthermore, the Talent Mindset is not an HR way of thinking. It is embedded in the entire organization - led by the CEO, modeled by management, supported by a range of initiatives developed by HR and implemented by HR and line managers. Having a Talent Mindset = being a Diverse organization.

Therefore, those organizations that apply the rich definition of Talent and that have what was called a "Talent Mindset" are, by their very nature, embedding Diversity into their organizations. "Talent" is race, gender, age (etc.) independent. "Talent" can come from anywhere, is deemed important based on its relation to the organizational strategic objectives, and can be developed. The link to Diversity is compelling. It is not "who you are" but "what you offer" (or can offer), that is important. It is also the belief that you have the potential to offer more -- and the organization has the commitment to develop that potential with you.

This is not to say that Talent Management is a naïve way of thinking, unaware of differences in people. Just the opposite. It is so integrative a way of thinking that it starts by valuing everyone and then creates highly integrated systems and processes that break down the barriers between people and opportunities - because it also acknowledges that people are different and barriers do exist.

4. What is Talent Management?

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The Conference Board study looked at the eight categories of initiatives to see how they fit together and to see which ones are at the core of Talent Management. It is important to first note that the study showed that the initiatives DO fit together, that Talent Management exists in the business world and isn't just a theory. Nearly two-thirds of the approximately 90 companies in the study said that their initiatives do fit together.

The initiatives that were "most" integrated were:

>> Leadership/High Potential Development

>> Recruitment

>> Culture

>> Performance Management

These were the ones that formed the core, or the picture, of Integrated Talent Management. These were flagged as "Core" because they are the ones that have been in place for the longest and also correlate to those deemed most important and at which organizations involved in Talent Management feel themselves to be most mature. (Admittedly, though, doing something for a long period of time - being "mature" at it - does not necessarily mean that you are good at it.)

Having been able to define what Talent Management is, the next important question to answer to answer was "How do these fit together to create Integrated Talent Management?" Here, too, the responses were fascinating and have much bearing on Diversity. Nearly 50% of survey respondents said that Talent Management is integrated through either processes or management and more than a third said that Talent Management is integrated through business strategy or through a talent management strategy. Those numbers are significant because they represent a major shift from an area that is HR's responsibility, to one that is aligned with strategy and with all managers. Therefore, for companies seeking to make gains in Diversity, thinking in terms of Talent Management will allow them to involve many more leaders and managers, in a manner that shares accountability. The figures in the chart below make this case.

Furthermore, accountability for Talent Management was viewed in terms of both implementation (or integration) and results. While HR remains the champion of Talent Management, the responsibility for results is much more a shared one, especially with the entire leadership team. This is a model for Diversity. Diversity does still need a champion, but should ultimately become a shared responsibility, with many managers held accountable for it.

5. Corporate Examples: How Talent Management Really Helps Diversity

Two very different organizations have explained how their use of Integrated Talent Management has helped them achieve the ideal state of Diversity.

The first is a small consulting firm with 150 employees. This firm embodies the Talent Mindset and fully integrates all its processes. They note that their cultural style is extremely collaborative, that opportunities are perceived by all as available or attainable, and that their employees were born in 28 countries. They attribute the success and uniqueness of their culture to their Talent Mindset and integrated approaches. They are a truly diverse organization, without actually even having a defined Diversity initiative. They do offer harassment awareness training, but find no need to structure specific recruitment or retention initiatives. Diversity has become part of their culture, thanks to their Talent Mindset.

The second example is a global manufacturing company, with 65,000 employees. This organization has extensive programs and processes to support Talent Management. However, they admit that Diversity itself didn't generate the results they'd hoped for, especially in terms of recruitment. When they shifted their thinking to Talent Management, though, letting Talent Management set the needs, they started to think much more broadly and achieved their reframed objectives. The objective became Talent Management - with Workforce Diversity being an enabler of that. As a result of aligning Diversity goals and objectives to those related to Talent, they, too could make progress and find Diversity becoming part of their culture and the way they work.

These two examples show us that by reframing thinking - by leading with Talent goals and by operating with a Talent Mindset, Diversity objectives can be attained.

6. Other Benefits For Diversity

Diversity is not only still struggling to get on the corporate agenda, but it is also still struggling to get some mind share from leadership. Talent Management has already achieved that. That's another reason to link Diversity to Talent Management - to get on the CEO agenda.

Talent is top of mind for leaders today, in the public and private sectors alike. Virtually all studies of top management cite talent-related issues as critical to the business. The Conference Board study was no different. In fact, the Society for Organizational Learning recently defined a current leadership challenge as "adapting the organization and leadership to the diversity, pace, uncertainty and speed of the external environment…" Key elements cited include; "multi-cultural sensitivity, appreciation, diversity and adaptability, related to the increased global nature of work and companies."

The Conference Board study showed that CEOs are actively engaged in talent-related initiatives. In many cases, even Boards of Directors are involved. Whereas Diversity has still struggled with getting general managers involved, aligning Diversity with Talent Management opens the door for much more involvement. Additionally, that involvement will take the shape of more than just participation in programs - it will take the shape of ownership and accountability. Because that is what's happening in the world of Talent Management.

* Reprinted by permission of Linkage Inc who can be found at www.linkage-inc.com