Talent. The ability to perform a skill at a high level. Some have it in abundance, others less. But a talent does not necessarily make it a winner. When we talk about talents, we usually immediately think of artists, musicians or top athletes on their way to fame top. Gifted people who are often apparently successful without much effort. However, that usually does not work. Whether you are a top football player or a great sales talent, you will have to work hard and develop your talent. Today we are talking about talent management.

What is talent management?

Organizations that succeed in developing the available talent can usually count on more motivation from their people. In addition, higher-quality staff also leads to better business results. Talent management is aimed at identifying and developing the special qualities and ambitions of your employees, and looking for a position in which those talents can be used to their full potential. The conditions must then be created to allow the talents to flourish. We often talk about the limited influence of football coaches on the outcome of a match. However, we ignore the fact that the trainer is responsible for selecting the right talents, developing them, motivating discipline, and forming a successful team instead of 11 individuals. In short, talent management. A subject that is often underestimated. In football, but also within companies. We assume that innate talent is sufficient, but is that true? The answer is no. Talent must be managed!

What does talent management deliver?

The best football clubs all have their own breeding ground of talented youth players. With the right guidance and circumstances, some of them grow into the best football players in the world. You can extend that comparison to the business community. You know you have talent, but are you using it enough? Talent management also functions as a bonding tool; people will not easily leave you if you offer them enough and invest in them. If they do leave you, you will have a good image as an employer and it will be easier to attract new talent.

Ok, so talent management is important? We have listed a number of tools for you to develop your talents. These instruments together form your talent management program.

Training and education

Of course it stands training and education at the top. A talent without training is like a football player who has never learned to take a corner. No matter how talented you are, if you are not taught something you will not excel at it. Training your staff gives them the tools to develop their talent. To give that brilliant corner or cross.

1-on-1 coaching

Many of us have had one or more managers throughout our careers to whom we are forever grateful. Experienced professionals who have coached us 1 on 1. Such training 'on the job' is crucial for the development of any talent. It's exactly that one coaching which has given Van Gaal a reputation as a 'talent developer' all over the world.

Kindred

Talent comes into its own in an environment with 'peers'. So peers. Other talents in the same situation. By bringing together talents under the right guidance, you stimulate their competitive spirit, but you also give them the opportunity to learn from each other. After all, they are in the same situation and fighting for the same goal.

Discipline

Here too, a comparison with top football is obvious. Many great talents have not made it in the past or have not been able to get the most out of their talent. Who remembers Freddy Adu? The American prodigy who subsequently had no success anywhere? Perhaps delivered too quickly. Too much praise. Or perhaps a lack of discipline? Effort turns a less talented person into a great person. The textbook example has to be Dirk Kuijt. But Christiano Rolando and Messi also became the best in the world through a combination of enormous talent and inimitable willpower.

In a society that is rapidly aging and where young talents have to take over the role of experienced workers faster than desired, talent management is increasingly important. It is not without reason that both Berenschot and Reat have named talent management as one of the trends in the field of HR. And CEOs already recognize it.