When it comes to developing talent and building organizations for the future, today’s HR professionals are challenged to work their way through some provocative questions, such as:  

  • Why should talent development professionals question industry catch-phrases and how they are used and defined?  
  • What skills are critical for future readiness? 
  • How can organizations enhance capacity and be primed for success? 

These are only a few of the unique challenges and opportunities that the present workforce and complex business terrain are grappling with. Catering to this requires creating people and talent strategies that reflect changing organizational priorities amidst the pandemic. In this context, HR leaders in charge of organizational development, talent recruitment and retention are well-positioned to develop tangible tools to address the evolving needs across today’s businesses.

As we look to the future, the distinct but inter-related concepts of employee experiences and engagement are undergoing massive shifts. One such shift is that employee engagement is rooted in how employees feel about work, which is the foundation of all-encompassing employee engagement. Another key component of revamping employee engagement is centering psychological safety and enabling employees to be their authentic selves in the workplace.

Similarly, employee wellness is closely tied to productivity, retention, cost reduction and financial gains. Reducing absenteeism and increasing both, revenue per employee and shareholder returns can also be attributed to companies’ robust employee wellness strategies that go above and beyond. HR professionals are being called upon now more than ever to be the first to identify factors impacting employee health and burnout and then to assess, design and improve corporate wellness programs that are advantageous for employees as well as employers.

Developing comprehensive solutions to support employees as they face this new world of work and technological advancements is a core component of HR and talent development leaders’ duties. For HR professionals and those leading change management, employee engagement and policy development, being equipped to tackle emerging topics in the field is paramount to enhancing organizational capacity. This includes enhancing expertise in areas such as employee engagement and mental health, equity, diversity and inclusion and reskilling and upskilling in the workforce.

Talent Development and EDI

While always relevant, the spotlight on equity has been intensified recently as organizations that promised drastic reforms to cultivate inclusivity are being held accountable. So, exploring how workforce diversity correlates with, and supports retention and business growth is another theme that is rising to prominence. 

Indeed, diversity can strengthen organizations by nurturing creativity, heightening profitability, promoting solution-oriented thinking and enhancing governance mechanisms. The plethora of ideas, perspectives and life experiences that a diverse workforce entails can do wonders for organizational efficacy, productivity and adaptability. From improving company culture to infusing a sense of purpose throughout the company, understanding and implementing EDI principles is the need of the hour. In fact, these are only some of the reasons that prioritizing equity, diversity and inclusion makes a business case for itself, while helping organizations outperform on their growth targets.

Upskilling for the New World of Work

The ways in which we attain skills, work and prepare for the future has drastically changed over the past two years. This new era of talent development demands new ways of learning and working. What’s more, HR professionals are at the forefront of navigating these changes and transformation, for which they need to be able to foster employee wellness and optimize productivity.

The April 28 Preparing for the Future: The New Era of Talent Development Micro-conference,  brought to you in partnership with the Association for Talent Development addresses these and other important topics. Attendees can expect to walk away with comprehensive strategies and applicable practices to foster a future-ready, inclusive and motivated workforce that foregrounds employee well-being and retention.