The RAF Talent Strategy introduces the concept of inclusive talent management, where everyone is recognised as ‘talented’ and where line managers seek to develop our people to reach their full potential, whatever their skills, aspirations, and motivations. 

  1. Leadership – role models who inspire, mentor, guide and develop those around them
  2. Initiative – pioneers who represent the Service, by sharing their knowledge and applying their new ideas and concepts to better the Service
  3. High Levels of Expertise – Subject Matter Experts who mentor and grow the professional ability of those around them
  4. Creativity – Innovators who seek to understand how things work and shape the future of the Service through new ideas, designs and concepts.

We believe that everyone possesses a mix of these 4 talent categories to some degree, through skills unique to the development journey of the individual.

The talent toolkit guides line managers to have more productive performance management conversations with their colleagues, and identify responsibilities and tasks to steer their talent journey. 

Leadership

Emergent Leader

You are displaying some of the Leadership Principles, Capacities and Behaviours (AP7001) required in the next rank; whether you are new to the role or you have only recently begun to display leadership potential you are on the right track for leadership progression. You are a trusted mentor to your peers and subordinates. You already display natural leadership ability, so be prepared to take on a more formal leadership role within the organisation should the opportunity arise.

Next Steps: Seek opportunities to display your leadership potential and capacity through primary and additional duties, consider applying for a stretching role within the leadership sphere and/or the RAF LEAD Programme if eligible.

Leader

You are an experienced practitioner who displays all the Leadership Principles, Capacities and Behaviours (AP7001) required in the next rank.  You are a trusted mentor to your peers and subordinates and have shown evidence of an ability to upwards mentor. Your natural leadership ability may have already seen you take on a more formal leadership role within the organisation. If not, be prepared to do so should the opportunity arise.

Next Steps: If eligible for RAF LEAD you should consider applying.  If you have been in your current role for a sustained period (more than 3 years), assignment and a change of role could show promotion boards your adaptability and sustained ability to perform across different organisations.

Initiative

Emergent Pioneer

You are beginning to display the attributes associated with an industry pioneer; whether you are new to the role or you have only recently begun to display this potential, you are on the right track for exposure to cutting edge opportunities. Your initiative, determination, and ability to work autonomously make you an obvious choice to drive forward new projects and test new procedures. You already display initiative in all that you do, so be prepared should an opportunity to sit on a project team, or to represent the Service on a short-term industry secondment if one becomes available.

Next Steps: Seek opportunities to display your pioneer potential and capacity through primary and additional duties, consider volunteering for a project through the Project Hub.  Targeted CPD opportunities can be found through the RAF Talent Hub.

Pioneer

You are an experienced pioneer within your profession who brings technical expertise, an inquisitive mind, and a determined nature to all that you do.  You may have already sat on a project team or represented the Service on a short-term industry secondment. If not, be prepared to do so should the opportunity arise. Your high initiative levels alongside your excess capacity makes you a prime candidate to volunteer through the Project Hub; projects in the delivery stage would particularly suit your skillset.

Next Steps:  Consider volunteering for a project through the Project Hub. Targeted CPD opportunities can be found through the RAF Talent Hub. If you have been in your current role for a sustained period (more than 3 years), consider other roles that could challenge you technically and professionally and could benefit from your initiative.

High Levels of Expertise

Emergent SME

You are developing into a subject matter expert in your current role. Whether you are new to your role, or you have only recently begun to display this potential, you are on the track to become an SME within your current organisation. Your work ethic, determination and technical expertise bring significant value to your organisation. You already display natural understanding of policy, procedure and technical ability, so seek out opportunities to undertake further professional training for your role or wider profession and be prepared to share your knowledge with your colleagues through mentoring opportunities.

Next Steps: Seek opportunities to display your expertise and capacity through primary and additional duties; utilising the RAF Talent Hub to develop your professional competence through profession related CPD.

SME

You are an SME in your current role, and you bring significant value to your organisation through your unrivalled understanding of your departments working practices.    You may have already undertaken further professional training associated with your current role or wider trade.  If not, be prepared to do so should the opportunity arise. Your understanding of your role makes you an exceptional choice to share your expertise through mentoring and developing the professional skills of less experienced colleagues.

Next Steps:  If you have been in your current role for a sustained period (more than 5 years), consider other roles that could challenge and develop your technical expertise within organisations that could benefit from your experience and knowledge.  Continue to utilise the RAF Talent Hub to seek out CPD opportunities that will develop you as a professional.

Creativity

Emergent Innovator

You are beginning to display the attributes associated with innovation; whether you are new to your role or you have only recently begun to display this potential, you are on track for opportunities to shape future working practices. Your creativity, innovation and divergent thinking make you an obvious choice to design and shape the future working practices of your department, profession, and Service. You already display natural creative ability, so be prepared to take on this role more formally should an opportunity to volunteer for a design project become available.

Next Steps: Seek opportunities to display your creative potential and capacity through primary and additional duties, consider volunteering for a project through the Project Hub.

Innovator

You are an experienced innovator who brings creativity, originality, and divergent thinking to all that you do.  You may have already worked as part of a design team or on other innovation projects. If not, be prepared to do so should the opportunity arise. Your high creativity levels alongside your excess capacity make you a prime candidate to volunteer through the Project Hub; projects in the design stage would particularly suit your skillset.

Next Steps:  If you have been in your current role for a sustained period (more than 3 years), consider other roles that could challenge you creatively and within organisations that could benefit from your innovative input.