Is the stellar talent you’re looking for right under your nose?

Employees are in great demand in almost every industry. As a result, some suggest using nontraditional talent pools such as older workers or military veterans. However, most often, the best talent pool may be the surplus talent hiding in plain sight.

For example:

• The salesperson can fill the open sales manager position. 
• The house cleaner in the motel can become a capable general manager.

There may be risks associated with this strategy, as you have to identify the right people and then do what you can to set them up for success.

An organisation may have high-potential individuals in lower-level positions because they have gaps in their education or training, or lack experience or confidence. This type of person would be willing and able to go far beyond their role, but the right people have not yet noticed them or considered them for the hard-to-fill roles.

To find such a person, ask: If all employees were gone for a month but you could pick three people to stay on with you, who would it be, and why?