The talent development challenge

Many organisations across the world invest heavily in developing young talent. From leadership programmes, to mentoring schemes, the intention is clear: identify high-potential individuals early and accelerate their growth into future leaders. The theory is that there should be a return on investment.

But the results can be mixed.

Some programmes create confident, self-aware, high-performing individuals who go on to lead successfully and become loyal team members that stay with the organisation. Others struggle to create lasting impact, despite strong content, experienced facilitators and good intentions.

So what’s the difference?

 

The missing piece: motivation

Many talent programmes are centred around developing the ‘right’ skills, so that people will grow at the same pace.

But in reality, development isn’t just about skills and industry knowledge. It’s about motivation; because two people can sit in the same session, hear the same message, and walk away with completely different outcomes. For example, one participant could walk away from a session feeling completely energised and applies what they’ve learnt immediately. Another might feel disconnected or unsure how it applies to the bigger picture. A third may resist it altogether. And for all of them – it’s not about capability, it’s about what drives them.

 

Understanding the “Why” behind behaviour

This is where PRINT® comes in.

PRINT® focuses on Unconscious Motivators®. The hidden drivers that shape how people think, feel and act.

These motivators can influence how someone learns, what engages (or disengages) them, how they respond to feedback and what pushes them into stress (or Shadow Behaviour) or top performance (or Best Self).

When talent development programmes ignore this, they risk being:

  • Too generic
  • Misaligned to individuals
  • Ineffective in creating lasting change

 

Why one-size-fits-all development falls short

Think about a typical cohort of high-potential individuals. On the surface, they may look similar. They may appear ambitious, capable – always hitting benchmarks and KPIs. But underneath, they are driven by very different needs:

  • Some are motivated by achievement and results
  • Others by connection and purpose
  • Others by structure, logic and doing things ‘right’

If a programme leans too heavily in one direction it will energise some of those on the programme, but it will likely unintentionally disengage others.

This is why some programmes are affective for certain individuals, but not for all.

 

Development starts with self-awareness

The most effective talent programmes don’t just teach leadership, they help individuals understand themselves first. When someone understands what drives them, how they naturally communicate and operate – as well as the things that might trigger them – they can play to their strengths. It also creates highly adaptable individuals.

This is why PRINT® has become a core component of the Top 30 Under 30 talent development programme.

Designed to accelerate the development of emerging leaders of Yorkshire, the Top 30 Under 30 programme combines practical leadership skills with deep self-awareness and PRINT® sits right at the foundation of that journey.

As part of the 10-week course the participants will learn about their individual PRINT® profiles – their core motivators. This in turn gives them the understanding of what they need to perform at their best but also gives them knowledge of what may send them into their Shadow Behaviours.

Once the cohort is armed with this knowledge they learn about – and start to understand – why different people require different communication styles, so they can start to reduce miscommunication and be able to influence colleagues more effectively.

PRINT® also helps participants understand how to avoid unintentionally triggering others and work more effectively across different styles. This is critical in early careers, where collaboration is key.

They’ll learn how to better manage pressure through understanding what triggers them so that they respond more consciously (rather than automatically). And they also dive into the world of leadership.

Why this approach works

At its core, the Top 30 Under 30 programme recognises something fundamental – development accelerates when it aligns with what already drives someone.

Rather than forcing individuals into a single mould, it builds on their natural motivators while nurturing their adaptability.

Chloe Chamberlain – Hull & Humber, Class of 2025 “Doing the PRINT® Discovery was great, and I learnt that certain personality traits I have aren’t necessarily character flaws and that they can actually be strengths, and I can use them in that way as long as I lean towards my best self and not my shadow self. They’re skills you can pretty much take anywhere.”

Patrick Faulkner – Leeds & West Yorkshire, Class of 2025 “My biggest takeaway from this process has been my PRINT® Report. I’ve never had a profiling tool get me quite as on the nose and give me behaviours to build on.”

Bill Houghton – Leeds & West Yorkshire, Class of 2025 “My biggest takeaway, I’ve got to say, has been the PRINT® Study. I just keep coming back to it, and I think it’s like a cheat sheet to my life.”

The difference between talent programmes that work and those that don’t isn’t just the content. It’s whether they recognise that people don’t develop in the same way. Understanding motivation is the key to unlocking potential. If you can give individuals the power to understand themselves that’s when their development can truly accelerate.

If you’d like to listen to more about the Top 30 Under 30 programme tune into our Now…Why? podcast with programme founder Simon Jones.