In the second part of their conversation on The H.I.T. Podcast, Angela Finlay challenges organizations to look inward for talent development. She argues that the skills companies need are often already present, just unrecognized or undeveloped. Finlay introduces the concept of "skill stacking"—helping employees inventory and validate their abilities, then combining them in novel ways.
"We spend so much time recruiting externally, but we overlook the goldmine of potential inside our own walls," Finlay says.
She advocates using AI tools and peer feedback to uncover strengths and blind spots, turning performance reviews into meaningful assessments rather than checkbox exercises. A key insight: organizations should reward leaders who actively develop their teams, not just those who hit short-term targets.
Finlay also champions "micro-mentoring"—short, focused learning sessions with internal experts—to make development accessible to everyone, not just high-potential employees. This approach democratizes growth and breaks down silos.
By linking performance, development, and reward systems, companies can future-proof their workforce. The takeaway? The next star employee might already be in the next cubicle.