4 Ways To Become A Magnet For Talent

In my ongoing series on Liz Wiseman’s concept of the multiplier from her book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, I last wrote about the importance of drawing talent to your organization. In this installment, I will discuss four strategies that you can work on implementing, ideally with the help of a coach.  

Wiseman identifies four key leadership practices that draw talent to organizations:

• Looking for talent everywhere
• Finding people’s native genius
• Utilizing people to their fullest
• Removing obstacles to success

If you’re not familiar with contemporary theories of intelligence, you should do some research. Modern psychology and cognitive science recognize that genius comes in many forms. Figuring out what type of intelligence is required for the position you would like to fill will help you learn to recognize that intelligence in others.

Finding native genius also requires keen observational skills. Native genius is something that an individual does naturally and with minimal effort. Some people are highly aware of their native genius, while others may not yet be conscious of their talent. Talent magnets help others to become aware of their native genius and put it to the best use possible. Start observing your employees in informal settings. What do they like to do? What sort of tasks do they seem to enjoy the most? What do they do without being asked? What seems to come naturally to them?

Once you’ve identified an individual’s native genius, you need to put them in situations where they will be able to use it to full advantage. Talk to your employees and tell them what you’ve noticed about their skills. Ask them what they’d like to do more of. When an opportunity that you think they would excel at arises, make it available to them. Reward them when they are successful.

Being a talent magnet also means getting rid of people that are stifling the talents of others. Keep an eye out for what Wiseman calls “banyan trees.” These are leaders that “protect their people, but nothing grows under them.” And be honest with yourself; even the best leaders are sometimes guilty of being banyan trees. Don’t be an obstacle to the success of your most talented employees.

Want to talk more about how to draw talent to your organization? Let’s get in touch. You can reach me via my website, LinkedIn and Twitter.