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The Cal-ICMA Talent Development Team has identified a variety of obstacles
common to talent development efforts. These include:

? There is no time to train, coach, and otherwise develop talent.
? Many agencies feel that they are too small to provide in-house employee

development programs.
? Flattening of many organizations has made the jump from line to manager

more significant.
? Pension reforms have made it harder for mid-managers to move to other

organizations where they may encounter different pension tiers and benefits.
? Many employees feel that management talks about talent development but

their supervisors don’t seem committed.
? Young talent views local government as too bureaucratic and fail to perceive

opportunities for meaning work or making a difference.
? Recruitment processes take too long and are overly cumbersome.
? Local government organizational cultures are not aligned with millennials

and their values.

Project Activities

Talent Initiative activities include:

1. Conduct a broad survey (already completed--“soft” leadership and
communication skills were the most needed)

2. Facilitate seven focus groups addressing questions central to the Initiative
3. Prepare a summary report including recommendations that respond to the

issues raised by the survey and focus groups
4. Develop an online compendium of talent development resources, best

practices and case studies featured on a dedicated webpage of the Cal-ICMA
website
5. Promote the use of resources as part of existing training programs and
conferences

For More Information

Contact Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager, Arcadia, and Co-Chair of Talent
Development Team, at domlazz@arcadiaca.gov