Psyching up to become exceptional : Getting into employees’ minds is not so scary

Purpose – Indicates an important and often overlooked approach to talent development: managers who apply everyday psychology with their people to drive significant growth. Design/methodology/approach – Shows how to grow people in significant ways, based upon years of consulting with managers, original research of the practices of exceptional development managers and expert recommended approaches. Findings – Concludes that companies undervalue the important role managers can play in talent development. Advises that managers are well positioned to significantly develop people, yet most do not. Describes five actions managers can take using everyday psychology to help to drive employees’ development. Practical implications – Alerts companies to the fact that, while they strive for a fully skilled workforce, for the majority this is far from reality. Suggests that, with greater investments being made to company-wide talent development, it is wise to also invest in equipping managers to turn everyday work into everyday development for their employees. Counsels that, because development breakthroughs can be daunting, managers who know how to practically apply everyday psychology have a significant edge. Adds that human resources (HR) departments, company leadership and individual managers can benefit greatly from leveraging these practices. Originality/value – Acknowledges that, while managers’ involvement in employee development is not new, it has not gone far enough. Warns that companies are often not relying on the development driven by managers to make a significant impact on their talent-development objectives. Encourages the view that managers are key to developing people, and making psychological principles readily adaptable by managers unlocks their path forward.