[powerpress] Our guest today is Enrique Washington, a founding partner of the Generator Group. I first met Enrique when he was working at Nike finding great talent for a great company. Enrique says his most meaningful work is to help individuals and organizations achieve their full potential. He has been instrumental in creating and implementing leadership acquisition and development strategies, with a focus on diversity within organizations. I count Enrique as one of my personal friends and a great mentor who, through his way of living life and conducting business, has demonstrated the right way to do things.
A few things you will learn in this podcast:
- The link between good leadership and finding good talent.
- Some of the most disastrous things a leader can do.
- How to attract and develop great talent.
- How to find and use a mentor.
- How to take full advantage of your talent.
- How leaders transform organizations.
Wow! What an insightful interview. I am looking into talent management positions and just had an interview myself with the director of talent management at Starbucks. The following information this interview provided really stuck with me for future application:
1) Core competencies that leaders are looking for – communications skills, talent management, and problem solving skills. At Starbucks, these competencies are directly applicable especially in planning, accessing, aquiring, integrating and developing talent to better advance the company.
2) The importance of Diversity standards start and end with the CEO. YES! Howard Shultz is an incredible example of how a leader sets the standards at a high level so that the core values trickle down into all departments to establish strategies for diversity expectations.
3) How do you respond to a bad manager? Thank you! There will always be a job where you have leadership that is unhelpful or a barrier. Plan accordingly, know the background of the person and the cultural politics behind it and then be strategic. Get the outcomes you want by setting clear standards and establishing clear reporting lines between you two.
4) Immerse yourself in the type of work and people you want to be around/become. Put yourself in the path of opportunity. Clearly define success so that you can answer the important question of. “How do you take full advantage of talent”?
5) Read! Subscribe to magazines like HBR and Talent Management. Keep your resources flowing and your knowledge expanding.
Thank you so much for providing this wonderful interview! I really wish I could afford that book!