Do Managers Ignore Workplace Talent?

Some leaders pay outside organizations to do work for them that could easily be done by someone who is sitting just a few feet away. What's happening?  The company is evaluating employees by the titles they hold and not by the talents they have.

The economic slowdown has seen an unprecedented shuffling of the workforce.  Those who lost their jobs had to latch onto a paycheck wherever they can find one.  This may have resulted in a lateral or a downward move.  Organizations would be smart to evalulate staff not only by the skills they have for their job but also the skills they are not asked to use in the position.   


Instead people tend to be lumped in with the title and the performance of the average person in that position.  Automatically, it's assumed that the employee can do no more than their job description.  


Smart managers need to shift the hiring focus to include overall talent.  Make sure the needs of the  position will be fulfilled but also check to see if the individual has other skills that could benefit the organization.  Who's to say that an Administrative Assistant might not be a wizard with graphic design?


This kind of evaluation can boost productivity and better engage your employees.  It's about empowering people and not let labels limit your potential.