Indiana Talent Selection: A Players in A Roles

In a recent Harvard Business Ideacast, Dick Beatty, Professor of Human Resources Management at Rutgers' School of Management & Labor Relations and author of "The Differentiated Workforce: Transforming Talent into Strategic Impact", discussed strategic human capital planning with the goal of managing talent like a portfolio.

While our firm has been a big fan of the Topgrading methodology of identifying top talent, the idea that all organizations will function well with A Players in every role in the company might be the source of "cat fights" in some organizations versus a cohesive, well-oiled team.  Beatty's research shows that only some roles and people within an organization actually drive the creation of wealth and value in a company.  

From Beatty's research, it is rare that more than 15% of talent in an organization is really responsible for driving value creation.  Still, all roles have importance in a business' successful performance.  Beatty does not feel that businesses should hire just anyone who is looking for a job, rather only hire people who love what you do.  But, 'A Players' need to be in the 'A Roles' to drive value and wealth creation.