Our Approach | development programs
In today's job market, the landscape is constantly evolving and becoming increasingly complex. The traditional notion of being an expert in a single field or having a narrow set of skills is no longer sufficient. Employers now seek professionals who can adapt, innovate, and thrive in dynamic environments. This is where the importance of possessing broad as well as in-depth skills and competencies comes into play.
At Mploy Associates, we recognize this demand and have implemented a comprehensive two-year talent development program designed to cultivate T-shaped professionals. We are excited to share our knowledge and expertise on this topic.
A T-shaped professional is an individual who has both deep knowledge and skills in a specific area or discipline (the vertical bar of the T), as well as a broad understanding and capability in other fields or domains (the horizontal bar of the T). The horizontal bar represents the breadth of knowledge and skills in other areas that are complementary to the vertical bar. This breadth of knowledge allows the T-shaped professional to communicate effectively with professionals from different fields, collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, and adapt to changing work environments.
The vertical bar represents the depth of knowledge and expertise in a particular field or subject, gained for example through education or training. In-depth development in their field of expertise is what allows them to solve complex problems and make meaningful contributions to their field of expertise.
In essence, a T-shaped professional has both a specialist's depth of knowledge and a generalist's adaptability and versatility. A good example of a T-shaped professional is Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. Musk has a broad understanding of business and innovation (the horizontal bar of the T) and deep understanding of engineering and technology (the vertical bar of the T).
This combination of skills has allowed him to revolutionize the electric car industry and even make space travel (more) accessible. The T-shaped professional is valued in today's job market, due to its unique advantages over other professional types like I-shaped, X-shaped, and M-shaped professionals. Let's explore why.
An I-shaped professional refers to someone who possesses deep expertise in a single field or domain. While expertise is valuable, the job market now demands professionals who can collaborate across disciplines and adapt to diverse challenges. The T-shaped professional, with their breadth of knowledge and skills in addition to their deep expertise, can effectively bridge gaps between different areas, foster collaboration, and offer a holistic approach to problem-solving.
An X-shaped professional is someone who possesses expertise in multiple areas, typically two distinct disciplines. While X-shaped professionals exhibit versatility, they may lack the depth of expertise in any single domain. In contrast, the T-shaped professional strikes a balance between breadth and depth. This combination enables them to contribute meaningfully within their specialization while bringing valuable cross-disciplinary perspectives.
An M-shaped professional refers to someone who has expertise in multiple areas but lacks the horizontal breadth of the T-shaped professional. M-shaped professionals may excel in their chosen fields but struggle to collaborate effectively or adapt to rapidly changing work environments. The T-shaped versatility allows T-shaped professionals to navigate complex projects, contribute to diverse teams, and remain adaptable in dynamic industries.
So, although we would have loved to implement the M shaped professional in the development programs of Mploy Associates purely because of the letter, the T-shaped professional stands out as the most ideal candidate in today’s job market.
Our consultancy talent development programs are designed to foster the development of a T-shaped professional. We believe and know that it takes approximately a year for starting professionals (fresh out of university) to develop a broader set of skills. So, in the first year of Mploy Associates’ Talent Program we put the focus on the horizontal bar and make sure our employees develop a broad set of skills and competencies in personal, professional, and theoretical development areas.
The goal of this first year is to “become a professional”. To give you a bit of insight, this means that in their first year our employees can choose to follow professional development courses such as Time Management, Corporate Communication, and Boxing & behavior (based on DISC). These courses help them to develop on the horizontal bar of the T and become the professional they want to become. In the second year of the program, employees focus on deepening their knowledge and expertise in a specific area or discipline.
The goal of this year is to “become an expert or leader” in their field of expertise. This is the vertical bar of the T. This means that our employees can choose to focus on their professional development by following, for example, our “Take the lead” course in which they will learn more about different, as well as their own leadership style. When they finish the course, they have gained in-depth knowledge that helps them in their development regarding more managerial tasks.
We are proud to say that our talent development programs have been successful in producing T-shaped professionals who have made a significant impact on our business and the clients we cooperate with.
Investing in the development of T-shaped professionals is critical when you want your employees to be successful in today's job market. By providing our employees with opportunities to develop a broad set of skills as well as in-depth skills in personal, professional, and theoretical areas, we are creating versatile and adaptable professionals who can thrive in the teams of our clients. However, this takes time and effort, so here some tips before you start:
In the first part of a development program, focus on developing a broad set of skills and knowledge. Make sure to provide training, workshops, and coaching to help your employees to develop on the horizontal bar of the T.
In the second part of the program, provide opportunities for participants to specialize and deepen their expertise in their chosen field. This can involve targeted training programs, advanced courses, or assignments that allow them to dive deeper into their area of interest and develop specialized skills.
Establish measurable competencies to track participants' progress throughout the program and while developing these competencies, focus on their strengths. More information about this topic can be found in the following blog: Competence and strength-based development.
Emphasize the importance of continuous learning throughout the program. Make sure you provide resources and support to facilitate their ongoing development.
By implementing these tips, you can effectively structure a two-year development program that supports the growth of T-shaped professionals. Remember to tailor the program to the specific needs and goals of your organization and participants, ensuring that it aligns with industry trends and the evolving demands of the job market.
Do you want to know more about this topic or are you curious to hear more about our development programs? Please reach out using the contact button on this page.