Writing on the Harvard Business Review website, Martin recommends managers lead exceptional talents using the following three principles. They may look quite simple but it is often hard to follow them in practice.
1. Individual approach
The best talents do not want to be treated as members of a group (even an elite one). They need to see that you perceive them as individuals with individual skills as well as needs.
These workers spend their lives trying to be unique. You need to show them they really are unique by how you behave to them.
2. Possible promotion
If people are motivated to work on themselves and continuously improve, they need big challenges. You, as a manager, should offer such employees as many opportunities as possible to learn, grow and move forward.
You may encounter some general rules in your company stating how long an employee must work in a lower position in order to be promoted.
Roger Martin advises managers to push their best people through, regardless of any quotas. Take personal responsibility for ensuring that the people you promote will succeed.
3. Praise
Managers often don't praise their best people because they think it is not necessary. In fact, the opposite is true.
Talented people work very hard and even though they are excellent, they often experience frustration and various minor setbacks. They will never ask for praise.
You must praise them – but not only once a year when filling out employee evaluation questionnaires. Express your appreciation immediately and, of course, individually.
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