Exploring Talent Leadership in Higher Education Institutions: A Comprehensive Analysis

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18313526

Doreen Morukhu and Tracy Nyatheli (Department of Human Resource Management and Labour Relations, University of Venda, South Africa)

This study examines the role of talent leadership in developing high-potential academics within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa. The research aims to understand various aspects, including the definition of high-potential academics, the role of educational leaders in talent management, factors hindering the development of high-potential academics and strategies for their development. Using a Social Constructivist paradigm, the study explores subjective meanings and interactions to understand participants’ perspectives. It also integrates human resource theories like Herzberg’s motivation theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to find solutions. Ten academics out of a population of 850 were interviewed, and data analysis was conducted using Atlas-ti (Version 8.0) to identify themes and categories that aligned with the research objectives. The findings highlight the critical role of talent leadership in developing high-potential academics. Factors such as funding for publications and conferences, effective communication, work-life balance, skills development and recognition are crucial for maintaining academic satisfaction. The study recommends that Human Resource Management prioritize selecting competent leaders, fostering communication dynamics, adopting emerging innovations, funding projects, creating roles, and building a supportive organisational culture to support the development of high-potential academics in HEIs in South Africa.