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Monday, 15 June 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Dr. Chintha Dissanayake
Talent specialists have long noted the strong connection between effective mobilisation of organisational talent and organisational prosperity. This was confirmed at an international level in the findings of the last Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2014-15, released by the World Economic Forum, where Sri Lanka ranked an overall 73rd amongst the 144 countries considered.
Whilst many factors contribute to GCR rankings, two crucial areas are highlighted as contributing to economic success; the ‘ability to utilise its nations’ talent’ and to ‘innovate’. As Sri Lanka reinvents herself within the global market place, we must ask the questions; are we ready to take that collective journey towards national prosperity? Do we have the required mind-set to move forward?
21st century technological advances mean that frontline employees now have unprecedented access to astonishing amounts of information and knowledge that can directly impact their capacity to innovate, influence operating results and customer delivery. But are they able to exploit this capacity within the constraints of outmoded management mind-sets?
Oxford Psychometrics conducted a mini-survey, of highly qualified professionals on 35 areas of importance that encompassed rewards and benefits, well-being, diversity, talent management and bullying in the workplace. The findings supported the GCR findings on the importance of utilising talent in the workplace. The results indicated a high level readiness of the qualified and educated work-force for a drastic change in their working environments.
The sample drawn from travel, insurance, legal, educational, health and finance sectors; from young and mature, male and female, in Sri Lanka, defined the ‘Employer of Choice’ as being one that ‘supports a respectful organisational culture that encourages growth of people and ideas and promotes professional development to stretch capability and empower success’!
The outmoded organisational leader who still thinks that ‘money’ is the only driver in the workplace will be surprised to learn that, remuneration ranked only halfway amongst the list of 35 criteria that determined an employer of choice for talented individuals in Sri Lanka.
There is clear evidence that the talent pool of Sri Lanka is eager to excel, but what is less clear is the employers’ willingness and capacity to take that journey to success with them!
Dr. Chintha Dissanayake is a UK based Chartered Occupational psychologist. Occupational Psychology is a highly specialised branch of Psychology that applies psychological theories and principles to organisations. This field focuses on increasing workplace productivity and related issues such as the physical and mental well being of employees.
Dr. Dissanayake is currently evaluating a leading psychometric tool for professional talent development in Sri Lanka.
