Talent is needed for growth!

I constantly hear the coined phrase of "top talent" when management refers to hiring employees of all  levels, particularly those fresh out of college. Having heard managers talk like this, you have to forgive me for thinking that the most valuable assets to new recruits is their character, desire, creativity and a person that never gives up. These traits are often seen and admired in those that are successful when they branch off on their own forging a new company and path for themselves.

However, I don't see these words translate into action as HR departments continue to search for experience and backgrounds so specific and unobtainable that they sit with job vacancies month after month. At what stage do we bite the bullet and decide that talent is more valuable to an organization than experience? Especially to those companies looking to grow.

I have a sporting background and so excuse my analogy to sport, however it paints the picture best I believe. I have always asked the question of coaches and authorities of a particular sporting code,

"What exactly is talent?"

You see there is no replacement for hard work, and hard work will pay the bills and then some, but talent, talent changes the world. Too often talented athletes initially advance in development too easily and from a young age never develop the discipline of hard work to achieve. It all comes to easy! 

However, every now and then you find an incredibly talented athlete who adds the hard work to the recipe, with the mix leading to an unstoppable machine! I can think of a real clear example in Roger Federer. When Roger Federer was at his prime, he was unstoppable by his opponents. He represented the perfect balance between hard work and talent.

The "Talent" side didn't change his day in day out efforts and results, but what his talent provided another option, a chance to do something incredible out of the blue and remove his opponent and their efforts from the game and outcome.

I do believe that people should be hired based on their perspectives, their willingness and ability to overcome obstacles and their "Talent". Although the talent is not in how fast they run or hard they can hit, the talents required for effective business is unique to the various positions that make up the team and operations. A 'Talent" could be the incredible ability to learn new technical information really quickly, or the ability to share the meaning and purpose of training to the team, or ability to make clear to customers the benefits of buying your companies services or products.

I'm far more inclined to recruit people that will increase the the value of the human capital within the company. I'm also encouraged to educate and train the people that play a role within the team and offer companies a return on their investments. 

I will finish with one last sport analogy. Team sports are made up of athletes that serve different roles. If the whole team tried to play the role of the offense, then no one will be in place to defend at the appropriate time. The team is stronger when each person on the team fulfills their role best matching their "Talents" and role. 

I like to celebrate the defenders that save the day as much as the team members that go out to score the points!