What Is Talent Development?

Talent development often refers to the process by which management and high level professionals at a business are trained and coached to become more effective managers and leaders. While this term can be used to refer to any type of professional development within a company, it is often reserved for higher level employees and officers. The exact process used by a company can vary, depending on its preferences, though generally it is meant to impart greater leadership and managerial skills. Talent development can also refer to the process of teaching and developing the professional attitude of an entertainer or performing artist.

Sometimes also called career development or training and development, talent development is often used to specifically refer to development of managers and officers within a company. This type of training can come from a number of different sources, and while some companies develop their own training programs for managers, many companies look to outside agencies for assistance in training. There are some companies that solely focus on training managers and other executives, with emphasis on leadership skills, managerial techniques, and coaching methods often used by high level employees. Some large companies combine multiple forms of talent development, providing training within the company at some levels and moving to outside training at higher levels.

Regardless of where the talent development for a company comes from, there are certain goals and ideals often held in common. This is typically ongoing training for executives and managers who already understand business, marketing, and financial analysis. Talent development, therefore, is usually meant to impart new skills and understanding of how to manage and lead others. Communication is often an important aspect of such development, and executives and managers are taught to listen attentively, provide feedback, and express themselves in ways that are more effective and impart greater meaning upon a listener.

Talent development can also refer to the process of professional development for an actor or other type of entertainer. This sort of training and development is often provided or assisted by a performer’s agent or professional manager, and commonly focuses on helping the performer better understand the professional side of his or her industry. Such talent development is quite common for young performers and is intended to help the performer have a better sense of how to behave and what to expect as a professional entertainer. While not all agents and managers provide such development, it can often help a new performer better understand the finances and business involved in his or her career.