What is talent?

In many cases it is a synonym for 'intelligence', for being clever or for being good at something. In others it is used as another word for 'athletic', in the world of sport for instance. People can usually get away with not knowing the precise definition, because we tend to understand what is meant anyway. But what does it really mean? Many people could not say. What exactly made that one person part of the world's elite of Dutch football? And what makes that one employee stand out so clearly in their field? The word talent has grown steadily more popular in the workplace in recent years, particularly in HR departments. Job titles such as 'chief talent officer' and 'talent acquisition' sprang up everywhere. At work it can describe innate or acquired abilities, but it is also used to describe high-performing employees. Its exact meaning therefore depends on the context and the point of reference.

How do you find it?

In a fast-changing world, companies want to win the war for talent. Many organisations struggle to attract top talent, though. The aim is to find high-potential people who will contribute to the company's goals. In this war for talent, the first thing that matters is knowing what you are looking for. Draw up a list of the qualities this (new) employee should have. Make sure those requirements are realistic and distinguish between must-haves and nice-to-haves. Second, it pays to look beyond education and work experience. Cultural fit matters far more. Look at hobbies and personal qualities too. Third, it is crucial to ask the right questions during the recruitment process, including questions about skills. Finally, it is important to focus on candidates' mental strengths, such as the will to grow, resilience and mindset. Those are important elements of talent development.

What is talent management?

Talent Management is about how you as an organisation handle the talent you have and create room for that talent to grow. It is not reserved for a select group of high potentials. It is about how you develop the talent already present. It is up to the organisation to facilitate this and to create the right conditions in which every employee's talent can be discovered and developed further.