When I first heard of the term Talent Management, my reaction was – I’ll have to google that! It was not very different from what the name suggested – it means selecting the right people, developing their potential and fuelling their enthusiasm, building their commitment, and also supporting them particularly through periods of change. A tall order, in my opinion its got to be easier to put man on Mars!
After all, the ‘Talent’ referred to is an individual unique person who comes with her own unique likes and dislikes, moods and emotions, belief and dogmas, quirks and experiences. Can you imagine how hard it is to address these especially when they shift and change quicker than desert sand? I do not suggest that the organisations do not work towards fulfilling this goal but I do suggest that an individual cannot be a passive receiver if it has to work to any effective degree. Even if each one had a sensitive mentor to walk beside her every step of the way, it would be near impossible to achieve these lofty goals if the onus were on the organisation alone.
So how do we become proactive participants in the process of Talent Management? The answer may lie in Reflective Practice.
Thinking about what has happened is the essence of being human. However, the difference between casual ‘thinking’ and ‘reflective practice’ is that reflective practice requires a conscious effort to think about events and experiences, and develop deeper insights into them. Reflective Practice is a learnt skill and once you get into the habit of using reflective practice, you will probably find it useful not just in the work environment but in your personal space too.
What can be done to help develop the critical, constructive and creative thinking that is necessary for reflective practice?
Neil Thompson, in his book People Skills, suggests that there are six steps:
- Read – around the topics you are learning about or want to learn about and develop
- Ask – others about the way they do things and why
- Watch – what is going on around you
- Feel – pay attention to your emotions, what prompts them, and how you deal with them
- Talk – share your views and experiences with others
- Think – learn to value time spent thinking (a word of caution – it you fill every free waking moment with gadgets and technology, you leave no time to think)
In other words, it’s not just the thinking that’s important. You also have to develop an understanding of the theory and others’ practice too, and explore ideas with others. Reflective practice can be a shared activity: it doesn’t have to be done alone.
Some social psychologists have suggested that learning only occurs when thought is put into language, either written or spoken. This may explain why we are motivated to announce a particular insight out loud, even when by ourselves! However, it also has implications for reflective practice, and means that thoughts not clearly articulated may not endure.
Counselling, or Talk therapy as it is often called, works effectively for precisely these reasons – it provides a safe environment for expression of our thoughts and feeling which we otherwise do not articulate or share. It also allows us to reflect upon them with an empathetic practitioner bringing us further clarity and insight. I’m sure you’ll agree that greater self-awareness and personal growth are an inevitable outcome.