Talent Management Lesson learned in Star Wars Movies - Talent Acquisition and Retention

I like to get new inspiration from blockbuster film and comic and apply it to my teaching. One of my favourites is Star Wars. There are various management lessons that can be taught based on this film. Today, we shall explore Talent Management! - This is the story of how a Jedi, Anakin Skywalker joined the Dark Side and turned into Darth Vader.

Anakin Skywalker (Before he became Darth Vader) was deemed too young to lead an army or to voice his opinions, hence he was sidelined by the more elderly Jedi Council (Like a council of elders). However, Emperor Palpatine is the only leader who would listen to his views and gave him respect.

The Emperor then gave Anakin a lot of promises where if he had switched to the Dark Side of the Force, he would be granted the Empire's fleets to command, thus seeing empowerment and expectancy as drivers to motivate Anakin. The Emperor educated him in the Dark Ways of the Force, listened to him and had promised him that he would be made the 'Supreme Commander' of the Empire. Most importantly, The Emperor kept his promise.

As a result, Anakin became Darth Vader. A talented young Jedi Knight who failed to be recognized and retained by the Jedi Council.

If applied to a business organisation today, we should learn how to identify the talents, recognize and groom them - talent development. Perhaps a simple model like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs could explain the basis of motivation in attracting and retain good talents. However, in reality, how many organisation (the management) is able to recognize and retain talents? what have they done? Even the great Jedi Master failed to retain Anakin, a young talented apprentice because of fear over prophecy.

To all the Managers out there, manage your talent well before they leave you and join your competitors - From A New Hope to The Empire Strike Back! Do not fear the talents as they will help you and your business to grow. To some extent, at least the bad guys are more open to talents with skills that are lacking in themselves. I am not saying that joining the dark side or becoming bad guys are better but they are really good at giving opportunities to talents, fast track training and development, empowerment, and motivation. Just like in Star Wars, their talent management initiatives are very well executed.

What say you?

Qualification and Certificates

Recently I had a very interesting conversation with a group of my students about the quality of their qualification when searching for jobs. I think it is word sharing to all.

Student: Is there any differences if I graduated in a local college that is not popular compare to another institution that is more famous.

Me: How much you have to pay for your studies compare to the one that you claim is more famous?

Student: Hmmm... about 3 times more expensive in the famous institution.

Me: Now, if you and your family can afford it, then I would say you can choose any institution that you like the most; in terms of the environment, the location, the people, the facilities, the courses, overseas collaborations and others you may think it is important to you.

Student: But how about to find a job when we graduate?

Me: Personally, I think it is the same as long as the institution is a recognised institution by the Ministry of Education. The chances of you in getting a job would be the same, doesn't matter from which institution that you graduated from. This is because there are many factors that a good employer will take into consideration when hiring a new staff. It is not where you graduated from or how much you have spent in your studies.

Qualification is a minimum requirement, just like a key to open a door so that you can get in. After you got in, what would you do with the key? Do you admire it or merely left it on the desk? We need a certificate to proof that we are qualified to apply for a position. Employer will sort the application according to the requirements for the job and qualification is often the common criteria for the screening process in recruitment and selection.

As long as you meet the criteria, you may have the chance to attend for an interview. Meaning, you have the key to open the door and get in to meet the interviewer. After that, it is you who will have to impress the interviewer, convince them with your competencies and attitude towards work.

Student: But why others pay more and study in more famous institution?

Me: Well, there are many reasons for this. For example, what is the meaning of famous? It is mainly from marketing efforts. Actually, some larger institution that charged more compare to the others provides better environment to study with state of the art classroom, full recreation facilities for extra curriculum activities, collaboration with other overseas institutions for the recognition, more qualified teaching (for some institution only), and others that you may find it unique.

All these may have some relationship to your learning experience that will make you to learn more and be more better in your studies. However, if you are not committed, involved and engaged in your studies, it will not benefit you.

Comparing to other institutions without these, does that mean a student cannot gain good learning experience, poor attitude, lack of knowledge, and cannot develop good skills in the field of studies? Again, it is how committed you are and engaging in your studies.

There are always alternatives when you want to solve a problem which each alternatives has its pros and cons. Ultimately, an education is still a key to open the door of employment. Doesn't make if you have a wooden key, golden key, or key with diamonds...it is only used to just unlock the door.

Student: .........

What say you?