5 Critical Conversations to Talent Development: Tips, Tools & Intelligence for Developing Talent

Employee development involves more than annual reviews. Real growth that benefits both the staff and the organization requires regular conversation.

In this issue of TD at Work, Julie Haddock-Millar and David Clutterbuck describe five types of conversations that can help employees, managers, and talent development professionals align their goals and future plans and make better decisions. Good conversations do not necessarily come naturally, and the guidance provided in 5 Critical Conversations to Talent Development will help all stakeholders have more fruitful conversations about their work.

In this issue, you will find:

• seven levels of conversation that lead to deeper dialog
• case studies of conversations in practice
• sample questions to promote dialog
• strategies for supporting critical conversation
• guidance for preparing for and assessing developmental conversations.

About the Authors

Julie Haddock-Millar is a consultant in the fields of talent management, mentoring, and coaching. She is senior lecturer and senior teaching fellow in human resource management and development at Middlesex University Business School. She leads on the development international standards in mentoring and coaching programs for the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.

David Clutterbuck is a visiting professor in the coaching and mentoring faculties of three UK universities (Oxford Brookes, Sheffield Hallam, and York St John) and adjunct faculty at Ashridge. He cofounded the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, which collaborates with ICF in the Global Coaching and Mentoring Alliance. The author or co-author of 65 books, he is practice lead for Coaching & Mentoring International.