The Manager's True Superpower: A Guide to Scientific Talent-Spotting
We often attribute the success of a great manager to broad traits like vision or empathy. However, a groundbreaking 10-year study suggests their single most impactful skill is far more specific: the ability to identify an employee's unique strengths and guide them into the role where those strengths can flourish.
The research, published in The Wall Street Journal, found that the best managers are expert talent agents. They don't just coach people; they act as career architects, helping employees find their perfect fit within the organization. This has a dramatic impact, leading to significant increases in both productivity and pay.
But how does a manager move this from an intuitive "knack" to a reliable science? While experience plays a role, proven frameworks can provide a structured path. This is where a tool like the Risk Type Compass becomes invaluable.
Matching Risk DNA to Job Demands
The study highlights managers spotting skills in areas like graphic design or marketing. The Risk Type Compass adds a deeper, psychological layer by focusing on an individual's innate disposition toward risk and decision-making. A manager equipped with this understanding can move beyond matching résumés to job descriptions and start matching personalities to job demands.
For the Wary or Prudent Type
A great manager sees beyond simple caution. They recognize an individual who is naturally wired to spot threats, errors, and inconsistencies. This employee's true strength isn't in a fast-paced, speculative role but in one that leverages their diligence, such as quality assurance, compliance, or safety management, where their natural disposition protects the institution from harm.
For the Adventurous or Carefree Type
This employee might seem easily distracted in a routine environment. A top manager identifies this not as a flaw but as a hunger for opportunity. This person's talents are best used in dynamic roles like business development, R&D, or crisis response, where their bias for action can drive innovation and growth.
For the Deliberate or Composed Type
This individual is the steady hand on the team. Their strength lies in making measured, objective decisions under pressure. A savvy manager would place them in high-stakes roles that demand calm analysis, such as a complex project lead, a key negotiator, or a high-level strategist.
Beyond Individuals: Composing a Balanced Team
This framework also empowers managers to become "team composers." A team of only Adventurous types might be creative but reckless, while a team of only Wary types might be safe but stagnant. The most effective managers build teams with a diversity of risk types, creating a healthy tension where bold ideas are balanced by rigorous scrutiny.
The ultimate takeaway is that the most powerful managers do more than just manage tasks; they manage talent. By supplementing their intuition with insightful tools like the Risk Type Compass, any manager can learn to spot the unique strengths in their people and become the kind of leader who doesn't just build teams, but builds careers.
Our consulting work in governance and leadership development includes facilitating Risk Type Compass assessments. To discover your team's risk profile, schedule a private consultation.
Source: Minni, Virginia. "What Is the One Trait That Makes for a Great Manager? You Might Be Surprised." The Wall Street Journal, updated Sept. 26, 2023.
