The Potential Challenge

Talent Identification is the first step of the Talent Management process . To identify the top talent at any level or identify the successor for any level the first parameter being looked at is the performance history , this one is a relatively easy parameter. However to identify the right talent the most important aspect to decipher is the potential to grow to the next level or levels and ability to do a particular set of higher level jobs . This is where the biggest challenge any organisation face , as it is not easy to decipher potential by all and sundry . 

How are organisations tackling the potential challenge then in a Talent Management process . It is largely through a mix and match of behavioural and objective measures. Potential is largely being deciphered across organisations through the psychometric assessment of cognitive and behavioural abilities and then mapping them to organisational winning competencies . Add to that a set of behavioural incidence-based interactions with a set of interviewers of repute . That’s largely the way organisations assess potential . It is a time taking and very detailed process and hence often organisations tend to focus on such a method for largely the leadership talent . At mid to Junior level the potential mapping of talent management process is diluted a bit to cover the broad span in large organisations.

In the entire process be it at junior middle or senior there is an element of leadership judgement which refines the process-based outcomes on potential .Success of any talent management process in an organisation is largely dependent on the talent identification process and then the subsequent development of the talent . 

Establishing the most effective potential mapping process is the potential challenge in a talent management process.