Importance of Properly Aligning Talent

June is accustomed as the month the government. In the budget, the various activities on both the expenditure and income sides of the budget are described in details and form the basis of operations of the following financial year.

Most often, no activities that are outside the budget are accommodated during the financial year. Conversely, the preceding few months before the budget constantly present challenges to economic activities. This is so because most of the previous budget allocations will have been depleted, thus putting emerging financial commitments on hold until new budgetary allocations are released. This may seem to be applicable to national activities only, but it largely happens in most business entities.

Some businesses plan for every aspect of performance, particularly ensuring that the outcomes of each activity are put in forecast. Everything is structured such that nothing is left to chance, while at the same time leaving no contingent provisions for addressing emergent issues. Some businesses strictly follow the budgets and activities to the extent of not being able to adjust, in the event of changes in the operational environment. Others focus on reinforcing past experiences, especially when they are deemed to have worked well. Apparently, the focus is most often directed towards actual funds inflows and controls, more than the requisite processes.

I have in one of my writings, passionately explained how money should always be the last thing in our minds. The statement is followed by a picture of a cart that has been put before the horse. This situation demonstrates how motion can be difficult, under such circumstances. In reality, we rarely get what we want when the focus is challenged. Unfortunately, that is how more than 90% of the population is programmed. Why could such programming be deemed unfortunate?

The answer may probably be found from the experiences of the dinosaur. The dinosaur was actually in existence about two centuries ago. The last one was found in Mongolia, a country situated somewhere between Russia and China. The last skeleton can still be traced, somewhere in a museum in the United States of America.

This mammal that was then the largest living creature on land, could not cope with the forces of change. Global warming, deforestation and other natural occurrences were too much for the dinosaur.  This is so upon realization that the animal had a very small head, but a very huge body.

Today, it is scientifically proven that the brain of an animal is normally 900 grams maximum, whereas that of human beings is 1400 grams. The 500 grams difference could be the most fundamental distinction between us and the animals. We are able to think, imagine, create and even plan for today, the foreseeable future and even whole lifetimes. Animals are conversely driven by instinct, particularly with regard to finding food, nurturing young ones and minding their safety.

Thus, the dinosaur could not respond to the changes taking shape as the world kept changing. Eventually, it gave in to the environmental pressures and became extinct. Could the human race be sometimes exhibiting some symptoms of not taking full advantage of the larger brain capacity?  A small minority though have continued stretching their creativity and imagination, thus eventually leading the world, to great heights of growth and progress.

Science and technology whilst driven by a few imaginative human beings have seen the world continue transforming in reaps and bounds. Ironically, we are each endowed with the power to change the world based on individual perspectives. This power rests within our physical as well as intellectual talents. The former are easily detectable through the sensory system, which comprises of sight, smell, hearing, tasting or feeling.

The intellectual talents are however a different ballgame. They are largely confused with intelligence, such that anybody scoring high grades in academics is assumed to be intelligent, thus able to pursue any high-end and sometimes traditional vocations. Does that not lead to misdirection of the thinking capacity of the 500 grams of brainpower earlier indicated?

Certainly, not everybody can become just anything, only guided by the prevailing intelligence. Much more needs to be done to align the intellectual capacities. In a recent leadership forum, one speaker advocated that anybody can be developed into a genius, as long as the environment is made right. If that was so, it would never have been possible for children in hardship areas to excel in exams, join reputable national schools and eventually conquering the world. Likewise, almost all children from rich backgrounds would excel not only in national examinations, but also in life.

Seemingly, therefore there is something much more than the environment and intellectual capacity or intelligence that yields great achievers. We may need to look beyond intelligence and instead work towards aligning the brainpower. That way, we will end up realizing human capital that is likely to perform not just to fulfill the expected limits, but rather capable of stretching their imagination and eventually unleashing their full performance potential. Why so?

People who are properly aligned have no limitations to what they can achieve. They create and continually innovate, therefore leading change and progress. Imagine a business having many teams made of such people. Such businesses will continue on growth trajectories, while exploiting the opportunities associated with the forces of change. The end result is great achievements even at the national situation.

Regrettably, the operational environment may not always be conducive for those capable of exceeding their limits. Most often, many business entities embrace the concept of bureaucracy, which is not always conducive to innovation. New ideas are mostly avoided, while at the same time favoring continuity of formalities, even when they have been overtaken by time.

Consider closed versus open door policies for example. Many businesses embrace the former not knowing that great ideas keep finding their way into organizations that are easy going and approachable. Besides, technological advancements are highly disruptive and have no respect to formalities.

It may be advisable therefore to budget and wisely spend the limited resources, but also be aware of benefits of flexibility. That helps in avoiding growth challenges, especially in a highly competitive world that is constantly responsive to volatile change dynamics.

Meanwhile,

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