Applying Skills and Competencies to the Talent Lifecycle - with Suzanne Knight

In this episode, Dan van der Werf interviews Suzanne Knight about applying skills and competencies to the talent lifecycle.

The key takeaway from this episode:

• In many organizations, there is a need for workforce planning connected to business strategy to figure out what skill sets are needed to accomplish future goals. Shift from filling positions you need today, based on outdated organizational charts, and look to the future to see where the organization is going.

• ‘T-shaped skills’ can be used to describe deep knowledge in one area, and a broad base of supporting knowledge and skills in other areas. People with these T-shaped skills tend to be strong collaborators who can work cross-functionally. They have the knowledge to relate to others who are outside of their area of expertise. This facilitates an adaptive organization and builds a strong understanding across streams or silos.

• When onboarding new employees, it’s important to be thoughtful about how to create space for new hires to listen and learn without feeling pressure to perform and make an impact right away. Encourage people to take the first month to have a bunch of onboarding meetings with people in various areas to absorb as much as they can about the business.