What is skills-first talent management?

- Many of us became people leaders because we're passionate about helping others grow and making a difference in people's lives. But the one thing no one tells us is how many complex skills are required to manage a team across the full employee lifecycle. Also called talent management. If you're new to this term, don't worry, you're not alone. This term has mostly been used by those in organizational psychology and HR. As a people leader, you cultivate your employees capability from the day you hire them to the time they leave your team or company. You are a talent management practitioner. This brings us to skills-first talent management, which connects the entire employee life cycle. Skills-first talent management means that you identify and nurture the skills and capabilities of your team to retain them and ensure that their success regardless of their education or experience. Historically, companies have prioritized hiring individuals from prestigious schools, highly regarded companies or through personal connections, rather than focusing on the skills candidates possess and those needed to do the job. Today, people can access learning and develop skills anywhere which is expanding our talent pools and creating greater economic opportunity for everyone. There's also a shift in mindset happening from the way we as managers have always led teams and developed individuals. We as leaders are broadening our assumption about each employee's skills and capabilities. You may be wondering, why does this matter now? Well, it should have always mattered but there's been a big shift in employee expectations in recent years, and companies are trying to keep pace with the changing nature of work and competing for talent in new ways. To ensure a high performing and engaged team, it's important to develop and prepare your teams to build skills for the future. In industries or segments where leaders are competing for talent, LinkedIn data shows a skills first approach to hiring can add nearly 10 times more eligible employees to your talent pool. And most importantly, skills-first ensures equity across all future and current employees by providing a personalized and tailored experience that accounts for individual needs and past experiences. So what does this mean for you as a people manager? You are the key to bridging the gap between your company's priorities, your team's outcomes to drive those priorities forward, and helping every member of your team reach their career goals. By focusing on the skills required to meet those business objectives and investing in your team's skill development, you can continue to drive greater business impact and employee retention. Throughout this course, we'll explore both the individual capabilities of your employees and the collective capability of your entire team. I encourage you to stay grounded in understanding the goals of your team and company priorities so you keep business outcomes in mind. We'll also touch on ways that you can embrace a skills first mindset and the strategies you can take to attract, grow, and retain your talent. People leadership is complex. No two people are the same, but these practices will help you identify and unlock the skills needed to help your team become the best it can be. So let's dive in.