The Talent War

Those of us who work in HR, Talent or indeed any business hear so very much of late about the 'war for talent'.

As someone who now finds himself on the battle-lines, I have to pass an observation that the 'war' appears to be something on an aberration - surely in a war, one must act accordingly?

Imagine back in 1939 if you will, that War was declared, and everyone continued to act as they did in times of Peace & Prosperity?  I dare venture outcomes would have been dramatically different.

As someone who has spent considerable time, energy and effort in Talent & Recruitment, I will admit that the 'war' is something I was continually aware of.  Perhaps it is fair to say that this cognisance was also about realising that without strong employer branding, one really did need to act as if there were a war going on?  

I hear, and am experiencing for myself, a mix of approaches, one which seems to acknowledge the war and act accordingly, and another that appears to still believe that we are in times of peace, harmony and prosperity - so, which is actually true - is there a real war happening, or is it a media beatup?

In my experience, in the midst of war, one must be decisive, execute effectively (excuse the pun) - and be seen to be leading from the front, thinking outside the box, surprising the other side constantly by doing something unexpected and different.

It is interesting, and perhaps just indicative of a sector or cultural inability to transform to a different set of circumstances with agility, that many companies are still behaving as if there is no talent shortage, brain drain or any thing else going on.  Similarly, the recruitment industry often behaves the same way - slow, unresponsive, more forms and boxes than innovation, surprises and doing it differently?  

so tell me this, is there truly a war on, and if there is what should be done differently?  Where are those creative Generals who come up with something new, different and dynamic?  Who is leading the charge in business to bring about the transformation, to mitigation of the forms and boxes, and seeing talent attraction, and talent development and planning as critical factors in winning the war?  

Do we need a rethink, to think and act different, to deliver cogent and effective tools to get and keep the good talent that must surely be out there - if so, at what point do we stand up and say 'I have a dream' and the dream will deliver what we need in business without creating barriers to success?  Are we arrogant in our expectations, do candidates still want or indeed need to go through boot camp to get a foot in the door - do we need them more than they need us?

Human history is full of scenarios of war, and the talent war is no different, and yet, as a species we need to be agile and respond as our forebears did in 1916 and 1939 - but are we mobilising to win the war?