Talent frameworks
It feels like the 'in' thing at the moment. Every other HR role is asking for expertise in building, applying, assessing or revamping talent frameworks to support organisational success. No doubt spurred on by the great AI revolution we're all experiencing.
The situation
For years now many businesses have had competencies, performance ratings, succession matrices and high potential programs. And yet, the right people are still not developing fast enough, and critical roles are occupied by good people in the wrong role, perpetuating the same capability conversations leaders have been having for years.
The problem
The framework is rarely the problem, its what sits underneath that creates the problem.
Most talent frameworks are brilliant at identifying what capability looks like, but they fall short on creating the conditions where people can actually build it.
Capability does not grow in a vacuum. It grows when people know exactly what is expected of them - clear, specific and without ambiguity.
It grows when people have the support, the resources and the psychological safety to try new things, make mistakes and learn without fear. When leaders are having honest, regular conversations about their development - not just at review time - everyday in the moments that actually shape how people grow.
The solution
Not another competency model, nor a more sophisticated nine-box grid or rating scale.
Psychological safety - built on crystal clear expectations and documented, genuine development support from the systems and the leaders responsible for utilising them.
When people know what great looks like, and feel safe enough to honestly assess where they are against it - great things happen. They stop performing for the review and start developing for real.
Organisations that get this right don't have better frameworks (its most probably the same as yours) - they have better conversations. More honest, more courageous and human conversations.
That is what enables capability uplift and drives results.
The invitation
If you really want to see your people thrive and grow - build their confidence and capability to have conversations.
Don't fall into the trap of framework redesign, focus on the elements that underpin the success of your framework and your people.
I'd love to hear from you if you're confronting this challenge right now or working through what your next step might be to ensure that you build the capability of your people - and by default, your business - to tackle the challenges in front of you. Reach out for a chat.
