The Portability of Talent: What You Need to Know

Author : Dr. Caroline Power, Principal, Canadian HR Academy

So, with regard to this article the question is — will a star performer who is hired from the competition continue to be a star with their new employer?

Acquiring “high-performance talent” is a core objective for hiring managers everywhere. Research is clear on the benefits of high performing workers — they contribute to profitability and they are a key source of competitive advantage.

But activating star performance is not as simple as it may seem. How can leaders increase the odds that stars will continue to perform well when they begin their new job?

Research has borne out that the portability of Talent is complex and that, in fact, Talent may not be as portable as stars, and the companies that woo them, may think. Two key variables for determining success with regard to the porting of Talent are (i) the culture of the new organization, and (ii) the capability-mix of the individual in whom the company has an interest.

As we reflect on our careers many of us can think of top Talent who were hired away from industry-leading organizations only to fail in their new role.

Prior to making recruitment and selection decisions, particularly executive-level ones, leaders need to think strategically about key elements of their company’s culture and the associated likelihood of successful outcomes when top external high-performers are brought on board. Similarly, top-performing professionals who are thinking of accepting roles with new employers should take the time to gain information about how work gets done within these workplaces and use it to assess the likelihood of their success when they navigate that change.

In the early 1960s economist Gary Becker identified two types of Human Capital capabilities: general, which have potential value to more than one employer, and company-specific, which are useful to a single employer only.

General Human Capital capabilities raise portability and company-specific ones erode it. Human Capital capabilities ordered from most to least portable are General Management (skills, knowledge and traits required to lead entire organizations, units or divisions), Strategic (specific experience in cost cutting, driving growth, rightsizing, and so on), Industry-Specific (skills and training useful in one industry but not in others), Relationship (interpersonal relationships within a company), and Company-Specific (knowledge of an organization’s routines and procedures).

To assess portability of a candidate for success in a particular role, company leaders are best to gain clarity on the following questions:

  • Does the role rely extensively on teamwork?
  • To what degree will the candidate require sponsorship or buy-in from colleagues in order to be effective?
  • To what degree will the person be engaged in knowledge-sharing?
  • To what degree does the role require that the person be reliant complementary functions or departments?
  • Is the role primarily engaged in external relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, or others?
  • Does much of the value of the role come from unique capabilities, team building, an understanding of workplace culture or other intangible qualities?

The insights gained from answers to the above questions can be used to determine what proportion of the star’s capability-mix is generic and what proportion is company-specific.

Candidates with more generic leadership capabilities will be better able to port their Talent across from one organization to another, unlike those with more company-specific capabilities. However, if the company with that new job is very similar, in terms of organizational culture, to the one that the candidate is about to leave, then porting their Talent has a higher likelihood of success.

The Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP) Program equips all attendees with a wealth of knowledge to help them find, select, advance, and keep the best employees.  

Join Canadian HR Academy  in-person in Calgary (our first in-person offering since the pandemic) on May 15-16, 2024 to pick up game-changing strategies and tactics, all pertaining to Talent Management.  Register now! 

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.



An Update from your Board of Directors – September 2025

By Jessica Jaithoo • October 7, 2025
As the governing voice of CPHR Alberta, the Board of Directors meet quarterly to provide oversight and guidance in several key areas. The Board, alongside CPHR Alberta operations, continues to deliver on the association's strategic priorities developed in the 2020 strategic plan. To ensure transparency between our Board of Directors, members and key stakeholders, we are sharing post-meeting messages to inform the steps taken towards advancing our profession and ensuring a financially stable association. The Board of Directors met on September 22, 2025, and the Board’s key messages are as follows: 2026 – 2028 Strategic Plan The Board unanimously approved CPHR Alberta’s new 2026 – 2028 Strategic Plan, which includes a refreshed organizational vision and mission. This forward-looking plan focuses on: Enhancing member value Promoting self-regulation Elevating the visibility of the CPHR designation Fostering a future-ready HR community Implementation begins immediately, with further details to be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned, our new Strategic Plan will be released this fall via email! Board Recruitment The Board has initiated preparations for the 2026 elections. We will once again be seeking CPHR, Retired CPHR, and public members. Additional details will be available in November. CPHR Canada and Collaboration Across Provinces The Board welcomed Philippe de Villers, Chair of CPHR Canada, who presented the national organization’s new strategic plan and the strong collaboration across provinces. Further updates will follow after CPHR Canada’s December Board meeting. You can view the CPHR Canada Strategic Plan here. Financial Management The Board reported that CPHR Alberta remains on track for a balanced 2025 budget, with no current financial risks identified. Engagement Board members will be attending our holiday mingles across the province starting in November. We invite you to join us in celebrating another successful year as a growing HR community. Visit the CPHR Alberta events page and watch your inbox, registration opens soon!  The next Board meeting takes place in November 2025, after which we will again share our key messages. If you have any questions regarding these key messages or the Board of Directors, please contact chair@cphrab.ca . We welcome your feedback!

Supporting Employee Well-Being: How HR Plays a Role in World Mental Health Day

By Jessica Jaithoo • October 7, 2025
Each year on October 10th we commemorate World Mental Health day. A day dedicated to raising awareness, minimize stigma, and promote meaningful connections and conversations about mental well-being. In the modern fast-paced and high-pressured working world, mental health support comes as a crucial element beyond a wellness initiative. It helps to build a more resilient, compassionate, and productive workplace. For HR professionals this day is an important reminder in the role we play in creating a culture that prioritizes empathy, balance, and care. When employees are mentally supported, they are more engaged, collaborative, and better equipped to excel in their roles. Why Mental Well-Being Matters Mental health can affect anyone, regardless of position, age, industry, or experience. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2019, 970 million people globally battled mental health issues. Anxiety and depression being the most common disorders. The economic costs become substantial, with loss in productivity outstripping direct cost of care. Beyond numbers, the impact can ripple through teams and affect morale. Stress, burnout, and disengagement have real, impactful consequences. Acknowledging mental health and proactively making efforts to take care of employees strengthens companies as a whole. How Can Employers Support Employee Mental Health? While there is no “cookie cutter” formula to promote mental wellness – creating an environment where employees feel seen, heard, and supported is key. Here are a few actions HR can implement to make an impact: Foster Open Conversations Break the silence. Openly encouraging judgement-free conversations around mental health can reduce the stigma around the topic. Practicing empathy and sharing personal experiences can encourage others to also discuss their own experiences and current challenges. Access to Mental Health Resources Ensure employees know where they can turn to for help. Having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to counseling, therapy, or mental-health hotlines and online support tools can increase awareness and better access to resources that can help employees whom are struggling with their mental health. HR can also work with benefits providers to increase coverage for mental health services or host workshops that focus on stress management and mindfulness as well as recognizing signs of burnout or emotional distress. Creating an environment within the workplace that promotes these habits also is important. Having quiet spaces to decompress, offering mental health days, or acknowledging small employee achievements can go a long way. Work-Life Balance Having a balance between work and personal life is key in maintaining mental health. Encourage employees to set realistic goals and expectations, honour their time off, and model such balanced behaviour themselves. Flexible work schedules, options to work remotely, regular check-ins, and encouraging boundaries can help employees better manage their workload and reduce burnout. Celebrating World Mental Health Day in the workplace  World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to remind and emphasize an organization’s commitment to well-being. Here are a few ways HR can promote and celebrate the day: Host a wellness workshop: Invite a speaker or mental-health professional to talk about coping strategies or tools for mindfulness Coffee & Connection: Have an informal meeting where employees can share their own ways to de-stress and support one another Share Resources: Share educational material or mental health tips through internal communication channels Closing Thoughts Mental health shouldn’t just be a one-day topic. It’s a constant year-round commitment to help take care of ourselves. On this World Mental Health Day, we should reflect on how to make our own workplaces safer, fostering compassionate and stigma-free spaces for everyone. As HR professionals we are in a key role to lead this change. We can advocate for open dialogue, sharing helpful resources, and nurturing an inclusive culture that values well-being just as much as performance. By working together, united we can create safer workplaces where employees can thrive both professionally and personally. When people feel supported, everyone benefits. Resources: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_2 About the Author: Rheya is a volunteer with the CPHR Alberta Social Media Committee, a young professional passionate about HR and creativity. With a Diploma and Bachelor's in Business Administration from SAIT, Rheya brings experience in project management, SEO, and social media. When not working, Rheya enjoys crocheting, writing a first novel, and binge-watching Harry Potter movies.

A Strategic Guide to Organization Restructuring, Part 1

By Jessica Jaithoo • September 29, 2025
Author: Ada Tai, MBA, CPHR, SHRM-SCP I’ve been watching the pace of corporate restructuring accelerate this year, and it’s striking how no sector seems immune. ConocoPhillips is reducing its global workforce by a quarter. Intel is preparing to slash 24,000 jobs in one of the largest shake-ups in its history. Salesforce is eliminating 4,000 positions as it doubles down on its AI strategy. Paramount Skydance, fresh off its blockbuster merger, is shedding up to 3,000 roles; while Hudson’s Bay, a retailer that’s been part of Canada’s identity for more than 350 years, is closing its doors and letting go of more than 8,300 employees. Add to that layoffs at Starbucks, Amazon, PwC, Burberry and even Recruit Holdings, the parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor 1 , and the picture becomes clear: we’re in the middle of a global restructuring storm, where technology, cost pressures, and shifting markets are re-writing the rules of work. In my recent conversations with business leaders, one theme keeps surfacing: many are contemplating a restructuring of their own. However, they’re not just looking to cut costs; they’re seeking a clear strategy. That’s what this guide is about: how to prepare for restructuring with purpose, clarity, and humanity. Step One: Define the "Why" Restructuring is one of the most complex decisions a company can make. Done poorly, it can destabilize operations and damage culture. Done well, it can reset the business for future success. The starting point is always the “why.” What problems are you solving? Common drivers include: Financial distress - Reducing costs and/or improving profit margin to stabilize the business Market changes - Pivoting toward new products, services, or geographical territories Technology shifts - Re-organizing to adopt AI, automation, or other innovations Efficiency and competitiveness: Streamline structures or flatten hierarchies The objectives must be specific, measurable, and aligned with the company's long-term vision. This "why" is the foundation for the entire plan and is essential for communicating with stakeholders. Step Two: Define the “What” Once the purpose is clear, organizations can proceed to define the scope. Which functions are absolutely critical to preserve? And which areas could be restructured, consolidated, or phased out? This stage is about mapping priorities. In my work with clients, I often find that once they clarify their non-negotiables, the rest of the plan comes into focus much more easily. Step Three: Plan the “How” Too often, companies jump straight to layoffs, but effective restructuring requires scenario planning. Before jumping to layoffs, I’d advise businesses test different options to see which will lead to the best results for their company. This might include a hiring or salary freeze, reduced hours, offering voluntary exits, retraining employees, or re-deploying talent to new roles. Each option carries different financial, operational, and cultural impacts. Running these scenarios before making cuts prevents costly missteps.  Equally important: restructuring can’t be run by a single department in isolation. Organizations need a cross-functional team of leaders, supported where needed by external advisors who bring objectivity and specialized expertise.
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