There is a classic Pogo cartoon written by Walt Kelly that states: “We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us.” The illustration has the little possum staring into a mirror registering shock. When it comes to talent management, everyone thinks it’s important. But McKinsey’s series of articles such as Making talent a strategic priority have placed the blame squarely for success on the same entity that it benefits: people.

According to The people problem in talent management article:

“…a majority of the business leaders and human-resources (HR) professionals interviewed by McKinsey say that a lack of time and attention from senior executives and line managers is one of the principal barriers to managing talent effectively.”

That’s why a superior user experience modeled after popular websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace will increase user adoption of performance management for line managers and employees with self-service convenience.

Unified recruiting + performance will increase HR’s contributions with incremental benefits in recruiting, performance, succession planning, goals, and careers.

Intelligent reporting will engage executives because they will see the results.

To be successful, talent management needs to be supported up and down the organization. Deloitte’s Human Resources Transformation: A Case for Business Driven HR survey covering more than 150 of the largest companies worldwide says:

“HR transformation is very much top of mind for C-suite executives…At the same time, when asked to identify the current business drivers for HR transformation, the overwhelming majority of respondents, 85 percent, cited cost savings or efficiency…”

Where HR executives are compelled to take on more strategic roles, this study reveals that HR functions in corporations today still focus on systems and processes. HR leaders are made to answer to cost savings or efficiency markers rather than to how HR can best help support business strategy.

Clearly, this supports the idea that talent transformation needs to be led by senior executives and their managers.