At Transitions Coaching, we believe the future belongs to those who invest in the next generation of talent. And that emerging talent isn’t just the traditional “early-career” cohort but a broader group we increasingly see stepping into new career trajectories—across generations, industries, and life stages.

That’s why we were so energized by Cielo’s recently posted article, Why an Emerging Talent Strategy Is Your Competitive Edge for a Sustainable Workforce.

We especially applaud their expanded definition of emerging talent, which they describe as individuals at the beginning of a new career path—not just students and recent grads but also those reentering the workforce, shifting industries, or upskilling in response to the changing landscape of work today. What unites all these groups is their growth potential: they’re learners, explorers, and adapters, ready to build the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in our rapidly evolving world.

This broader, more inclusive—and somewhat unconventional—definition deeply resonates with our own beliefs about developing emerging leaders.

Our Perspective: Emerging Talent & Future Leaders

At Transitions Coaching, we think of emerging talent in a slightly different but complementary way. We see emerging talent as individuals who show technical aptitude and ambition, yes—and also a willingness to lead with curiosity, emotional agility, and resilience. They’re ready to embrace complexity, drive change, and contribute meaningfully and authentically to their organizations.

And isn’t this what our organizations need today?

Sure, skills and experience matter. But mindset might be the ultimate differentiator. More and more often, those who fall under the broad umbrella of emerging talent demonstrate a desire to grow in what they know and in how they think, connect, and lead.

Why Emerging Talent Matters More Than Ever

It’s pretty clear that we can no longer rely on yesterday’s leadership pipelines to achieve or sustain organizational success. And it seems executives recognize this:

• 50% of CEOs identified ‘developing the next generation of leaders’ as one of their biggest challenges (2023 DDI Research)
• 45% of CEOs are concerned about their business’s long-term viability without reinvention (PwC Global CEO Survey)

The challenges we’re facing today require adaptable, growth-minded leaders at every level. And that means investing in an often-overlooked population. A 2023 Korn Ferry survey found that 34% of organizations are missing out on high-potential leaders by not looking deep enough in the organization—which is where your emerging talent sits.

The Obvious but Overlooked

Unfortunately, most organizations’ approach to leadership development is inadequate to meet the challenges they’ll inevitably face in the future. It’s episodic, not systemic; it’s focused on individuals in isolation rather than building collective capacity; and it’s mostly superficial, lacking the depth that inspires real insights and breakthroughs.

It’s increasingly evident that investing in emerging leaders holds the most promise for future-proofing your organization. These leaders will inevitably encounter a growing number of adaptive challenges—complex issues demanding shifts in values, attitudes, or behaviors for sustainable solutions. Confronting those challenges requires an evolution of mindset and capabilities, and emerging leaders embrace this opportunity.

How to Unlock the Potential in Your Organization

The Transitions Coaching Emerging Leader Program was designed with this opportunity in mind. The program helps organizations identify, support, and accelerate the growth of their emerging talent, focusing on real skills and capabilities that tomorrow’s leaders will need:

• Becoming less reactive and more effective in decision-making.
• Fostering deeper relationships, greater collaboration, and stronger teamwork.
• Gaining clarity and confidence to contribute more meaningfully and authentically.

We’re grateful to stand alongside organizations like Cielo who recognize that emerging talent is the foundation for a successful, sustainable workforce. Together, we’re shaping a future where emerging talent isn’t just recognized for their potential—but supported in becoming the leaders our organizations need most.