4 Talent Management Lessons from The Paradise

The Paradise is a new PBS Masterpiece Theatre series; it’s like the retail world’s version of “Downton Abbey”.  I was watching it the other night and a couple of scenes grabbed me from a professional standpoint as I could immediately see business lessons being played out on the small screen.  Here’s the 4 takeaway lessons from The Paradise.  (And if you want management lessons from Downton Abbey, look no further than this excellent blog on the topic.)

Sometimes the most senior person on the team is not the best fit for a promotional opportunity.  Miss Audrey, the Supervisor of the Ladies’ Department came down with an illness in which she lost her voice.  The Paradise is expecting a major client that very week and Mr. Moray, the owner, discusses what to do with his partner, Dudley.  Clara, the most senior of the shop girls, approaches Moray letting him know that she deserves the opportunity because she’s paid her dues and been at the shop the longest.  However, Moray, with the instincts of a good leader, recognizes that their most recent hire, Denise, may be the better fit for the role.  Moray recognized that Denise’s skills and abilities were better suited to the role than Clara’s.

Moray discusses his idea with Dudley saying that they have an important customer that Denise is better suited to persuade, given her recent successes at the shop.  They both think it’s a risky move however Moray says that it may be worth their while.  “It will test her mettle and ours.”   He recognized that this would be a stretch assignment for her but was willing to take the risk and test her out in a more stressful situation to see how she performs.  He knew that it was high risk, but if successful, would earn high rewards.  Sometimes leaders need to allow their top talent to take on that stretch role in order to test their skills and abilities even further outside of their comfort zone.

 

How are you testing your employees’ mettle?

Denise is a creative, think-outside-the-box employee.  Moray recognizes this, however is astute enough a leader to realize that Miss Audrey feels threatened by Denise’s ideas.  He invites Denise to approach him directly with them and creates an open environment for Denise to continue to aid the success of The Paradise through her creativity. 

 

How are you listening to your employees’ ideas?

Miss Audrey learns of the special arrangement between Denise and Moray and approaches Denise to inform her in no uncertain terms that she is to cease with her ideas immediately.  Denise is caught between a rock and a hard place with torn loyalties.  However, she finds a creative solution yet again and lets Moray’s fiancée know that The Paradise would do well to create a children’s apparel section.  Moray’s fiancée brings the idea up with him.  Moray recognizes where the idea came from and is angry Denise did not approach him directly; but then steps back and realizes the difficult situation Denise is in.  So, when he announces the new Children’s Apparel department, he lets everyone know his fiancée came up with the idea thus protecting Denise while at the same time allowing her ideas to flourish.

 

How are you helping your employees be successful by breaking down barriers?

 

I’m looking forward to the rest of The Paradise season to see how Denise continues her success at the shop and how her efforts continue to increase The Paradise’s success. 

 

How do your employees aid in the success of your business?