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Articles
Tapping Into Your Talent
Feb 11, 2010
By: Alison Sfreddo
As a result of today’s economy, both Government and industry have embarked on efforts to recalculate and readjust not only their resources but their talent. In the midst of downsizes and layoffs, there are also a number of opportunities for success. The trick is to identify, sharpen and showcase those professional attributes that set you apart from the others – your talent. Tapping into your talent is not a difficult process, but rather an awareness of how you fit in and shine within your organization.
The key to tapping into your talent is simply adapting your strengths to the needs and goals of the organization. It’s all about alignment and recognizing those skills and qualities that will guarantee that both you and the organization will be successful!
The time is perfect for you to recalculate and readjust how your talents are perceived and utilized within the organization and the following are some suggestions to help you put your talent into the spotlight.
Know your Niche. The easiest way to showcase your talents and strengths is to be familiar with what drives you to achieve goals and how your performance impacts the organization. Make sure that your talent aligns with the mission and goals of the organization and if it does not, find opportunities to sharpen those skill sets needed for high performance in your department.
Field Feedback. To stay competitive, employees today know the value of feedback – not only for themselves but for the organizational as whole. By consistently evaluating your own progress and success and sharing this with management, you remain current and competitive. Make it a point to meet quarterly with your supervisor and ask them to evaluate your progress and production.
Measure your milestones. By reflecting and cataloguing your goals and accomplishments, you are better equipped to showcase your talents and strengths and provide solid contributions. Be sure to document all of your projects and achievements – both tangible and intangible. In the competitive workplace climate, this will serve to set you apart and ahead of the competition.
Look to the Future. Many times in a challenging economy, employees develop the mindset of just “holding their own.” But the savvy professional will look ahead and make it a point to interview and inquire about the future direction of the organization. In doing so, they are better equipped to assess what critical competencies will get them to the next level. There is always the opportunity to advance – in any economy – provided one knows what the organizations is looking for.
Recognizing what your organization’s needs are and what sets you apart will yield continued success and additional opportunities for personal and professional success.
Ask yourself the following questions as you reflect and realign your talent to suit both you and the organization:
• What are the organizational goals?
• Do I know the mission statement?
• Am I aware of the current culture?
• What are the priorities within my department?
• What are the skill sets of the management tier?
• What opportunities are there for my skills and talents to be utilized to the fullest?
• What can I do (i.e. classes, seminars, mentoring assignments) to sharpen or acquire those skills?
• How often am I asking for feedback – both in terms of my personal performance and that of the organization?
• Am I documenting my accomplishments – no matter how small they may seem to me?
• Am I showcasing my achievements and what I bring to the organization?
• Am I tracking recent realignments and reorganizations within certain departments?
• Am I inquiring about new start-up departments and applying for those positions?
This article was published in The Training Connection, Inc.'s February 2010 Newsletter.
© 2010, The Training Connection, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
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