Managing Talent
According to Jack, managers should devote a lot of time, energy, and money to your A and A-minus players, and to let your C players go. By contrast, Patty McCord dislikes the term “A players” and she writes: “Sometimes it’s important to let even people who have done a great job go, in order to make space for high performers in new functions or with different skills.”
Discuss your ideas about talent management, using the prompts below:
What do you think about the concept of investing in your “A players” more than other employees? Is it still relevant in today’s business environment?
Do management practices in your organization align more to Welch or McCord’s approach to talent management?
Based on this week’s articles, describe one change you would recommend in managing talent at your organization. How would this change produce better results?
Sample Answer
The concept of investing in your “A players” more than other employees is a controversial one. Some people believe that it is the best way to ensure that your company has the best possible workforce, while others believe that it is unfair to the “B” and “C” players.
There are a number of arguments in favor of investing in your “A players”. First, these are the employees who are most likely to be productive and to contribute to the company’s success. Second, they are the employees who are most likely to be engaged and motivated, which can lead to increased productivity and innovation. Third, they are the employees who are most likely to be promotable, which can help to create a pipeline of talent for the future.