Talent Management -- Sharpening the Focus

Abstract : The Army has given significant consideration to the corporate practice of talent management and is beginning to implement elements of a talent management strategy. In the formative stage of this strategy, two critical issues warrant exploration. First, the Army must examine the impact its organizational structure will have on the talent management strategy. Two dimensions of organizational structure pervasive in the Army are explored: formalization and centralization. These two structural dimensions will shape the Army's talent management strategy. Second, the concept of engagement is examined. Engagement between leaders and followers is an essential element of leadership theory. Factors in modern organizations have the potential to inhibit engagement and initial research demonstrates that the Army is not immune to this problem. As a result of examining organizational structure and engagement as they relate to talent management, six calls to action are proposed. Action in each of the areas outlined will improve the Army's efforts to recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent to maintain its effectiveness as an instrument of the nation.