Track movement and metrics. Sharing data on internal talent mobility and tracking it against a goal is surprisingly powerful. Setting a goal of internal fulfilment at a certain percent is a great first step, but seeing how everyone’s decisions help reach—or fail to reach—the goal offers unprecedented transparency into the process.
Provide transparency into the wider talent pool. Some business leaders focus on which individuals can or should be considered for new roles based on their own direct experiences and knowledge. It’s time to change this limited view of who is available. In this new way of thinking, potentially anyone can be ready for a new role—even if that’s not immediately obvious by her or his current role or connections in the organisation. By opening up the catchment pool, businesses can find those hidden talent resources.
Put talent mobility at the core of your company: Talent mobility should be hard-wired into the business culture. It should be communicated and expected that every member of the workforce should seek new opportunities, even as often as every two or three years. Managers should accept and welcome that mind-set, knowing that even their best team members can move on to even better things in new roles in other departments that will bring great results to their companies..