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Why You Should Hire for Skills Not Talent, and the Stigma of Mental Health

October 31, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee 

Talent Management has been a focus for quite some time now, but what we’re really implying is that a candidate needs to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job perfectly from day one. (i.e. a self-starter that can hit the ground running). Instead, what we really need to be looking for is not only does a person already know how to do something, but can they also learn it? How flexible and adaptable are they to learning new things whether that be skills, systems or ways of working?

As we face the ongoing uncertainty and shifts in the kinds of jobs available, the people who can learn new skills, especially those with resilience (adaptability and flexibility), and a growth mindset will be the most valuable and sought after. So how can you tell if someone can learn something? From past experiences and examples or demonstrations of knowing similar things. Do they have a history of recovering from setbacks as learning experiences and do they have the perseverance and determination to tackle and overcome new challenges?

Alternatively you can also use assessments to gain deeper insights into a person's competencies, try the Personal Development Assessment here.

Addressing the stigma of mental health

With people coming back into the workplace, now is the opportune time for employers to address the stigma associated with mental health challenges. When someone is experiencing mental health challenges at home or in the workplace, they are at their most vulnerable and most in need of help. However, stigma prevents them from reaching out and this paradox can deepen an illness or trauma that is often invisible to others.

Globally the gender-based violence stats have spiked, and some employees are not safe working from home. Not to mention that technology may well have enabled remote work but, it has also introduced new forms of sexual harassment in the virtual world of work.

Addressing stigma is a collective responsibility across three levels: organizational systems, leaders, and peers and teammates. Taking the right kind of actions can shift the narrative from one of stigma to support, making support structures far more effective, and help ensure the long-term health and commitment of the workforce.

If you are already implementing hybrid working models, DEI or employee wellness strategies, then now is the time to be bold and include stigma as a key focus area.

Warmly

Paula


International Certified PDA Analyst Training

Make better talent management decisions with scientific insights into individual and team competencies and development areas. Help teams become more cohesive and effective in working together by knowing how to leverage their strengths. Curated for HR, Training & Development, Coaches, Recruiters and Consultants who want to include metrics in their service offering. Interested? More info here.

Sexual Harassment Awareness Training?

How often does your organisation provide Sexual Harassment Awareness training to employees?
Organisations are required to communicate their sexual harassment policies and protocols to their staff to ensure they are compliant with OHSA and legislation. 80% of organisations do not proactively conduct sexual harassment training and are at risk of being non-compliant. Do you need help with your Sexual Harassment training?


Paula Quinsee: Relationship Expert and passionate advocate for creating healthy relationships at home, in the workplace, and against GBV, to co-create a more human connected world and positively impact people’s lives. Paula is also an international speaker and author of Embracing Conflict and Embracing No. 

More info: www.paulaquinsee.com Email: paula@paulaquinsee.com

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In Guest Blog Tags Paula Quinsee
← Meet Mozambique's women entrepreneurs who are showcasing the country's unique business offeringsLioness Launch / Africa’s luxury jewellery brand, Adele Dejak, launches its new Malaika Collection →

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Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
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Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
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Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
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Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
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Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
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Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V

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Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
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Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
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After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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