In this episode, Amir sits down with Kelsey Lang, Global Head of Talent at Techstars, to explore how organizations can achieve 'super agility' in talent management. Kelsey shares how startup-style adaptability can be combined with strong foundational processes to manage teams effectively in fast-moving environments.
They discuss blending cultural nuances, balancing flexibility with structure, and leveraging agile project management frameworks like Scrum and Kanban to improve team efficiency. Kelsey also highlights how aligning stakeholders can unlock greater organizational success.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptability Is Key: Agile organizations balance flexibility with a stable operational foundation.
- Stakeholder Engagement Matters: Involving stakeholders in process creation drives better collaboration.
- Agile Frameworks for Talent: Applying Scrum and Kanban can enhance adaptability in HR processes.
- Cultural Awareness: Understanding company culture helps tailor agile practices for maximum effectiveness.
Episode Highlights:
01:24 - Defining Agility in Talent Management
- How agility differs from traditional talent management models
- The role of adaptability in scaling startups
03:37 - Skills Needed for Flexibility in Talent
- Why continuous learning and stakeholder collaboration are essential
- Tips for building adaptable teams ready for change
07:03 - Challenges and Strategies in Talent Management
- Common obstacles when scaling talent operations
- Kelsey’s insights on handling rapid growth and evolving roles
13:25 - Implementing Agile Methodologies in Talent
- Adapting Scrum and Kanban for HR processes
- How Techstars uses project management principles to streamline talent operations
Guest:
Kelsey Lang is a talent and people leader with over 20 years of experience building, scaling and transforming. She has worked with small, early stage startups, large, publicly-traded organizations and other orgs in between. Kelsey is passionate about building and designing talent systems that are aligned to the business to drive outcomes and cultivating cultures of high engagement and inclusion.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseylang1/
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
