Top qualities every talent leader should have in 2025

Did you know that 40% of employees rated their leaders as good or excellent in 2022, down from 48% in 2020? This decline highlights the growing importance of strong talent leaders in driving company success. 

Effective talent leaders attract top talent and play a key role in developing employees and creating a culture of growth. As companies face constant change, leadership is crucial for navigating challenges and maintaining a competitive edge. 

This blog discusses the qualities of good leaders, the top 10 leaders in 2025, and many more. 

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What is a talent leader?

A talent leader is a professional who oversees and cultivates an organization’s talent pool. This function depends heavily on ensuring the appropriate people are in the proper positions to accelerate organizational success. Talent leaders concentrate on finding, developing, and advancing people who can succeed in more senior positions within the organization.

Check out Testlify’s Leadership Test, a data-driven tool for evaluating essential leadership skills.

Functions of a talent leader

Below are the key tasks of a talent leader.

1. Talent management: Talent leaders are responsible for developing plans for attracting, nurturing, and retaining talent. They guarantee the company has a strong pool of qualified people prepared to undertake new tasks.

2. Leadership development: They are crucial in spotting high-potential workers and giving them the education and experience they need to be ready for leadership roles. This entails actively nurturing talent to meet future demands and simply filling openings.

3. Establishing a helpful environment: Skilled talent managers cultivate an environment that promotes development and education. They set an example of conduct encouraging coaching and mentoring, ensuring staff members feel encouraged to grow.

4. Strategic vision: A talent leader must match the organization’s objectives with talent management tactics. This entails being aware of the skills and competencies required in the future and ensuring the workforce is equipped to fulfill those expectations.

Read about how to get started with talent management.

Characteristics of a talent leader

A talent leader drives team success by inspiring growth, fostering innovation, and aligning talent strategies with business goals. The following characteristics define the impact they bring to their organizations.

Prioritize individual employee success

Successful talent leaders understand that every employee’s potential matters. They focus on creating efficient processes that enhance job satisfaction and productivity, which leads to a more innovative workforce. 

Check out how to improve job satisfaction for your employees.

Streamlining workflows and removing obstacles ensures employees can perform at their best. Focusing on improving the employee experience drives business success and fosters a loyal and motivated team.

Adaptability & communication

Top talent leaders are flexible and prioritize clear communication. Adapting to changing circumstances is crucial for overcoming challenges and driving business growth. 

Leaders who communicate effectively ensure alignment across teams, helping maintain a shared vision and values within the company. This adaptability fosters a resilient workforce that can thrive despite obstacles, and transparent communication nurtures employee trust.

Continuous learning

Effective talent leaders emphasize personal and professional growth. They continuously improve their skills and expertise, which enables them to guide their teams in talent development. 

This focus on self-improvement fosters a learning culture where employees are encouraged to grow, learn new skills, and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace. When leaders prioritize their development, they set an example for their teams.

Better team potential

The best leaders create an open and collaborative environment where employees feel motivated to contribute their best work. They unlock their team’s full potential by fostering creativity and encouraging collaboration. 

Check out Testlify’s Collaboration Test to evaluate key team skills like communication and problem-solving.

Leaders who see their team as partners inspire trust and dedication, creating a positive work culture where everyone works toward a shared vision. Collaboration drives innovation and helps achieve exceptional outcomes.

Selective recruiting

Successful talent leaders go beyond filling positions. They meticulously select candidates who align with the company’s culture and long-term goals. 

Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, they seek individuals who will contribute positively to the work environment. By hiring purposefully, they ensure that new team members bring value to the role and the organization.

Employee empowerment

Talent leaders distinguish themselves by empowering their teams. Rather than micromanaging, they guide employees to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and independence. 

Leaders focus on motivating their teams and helping them grow, ultimately allowing employees to take ownership of their success. This empowerment makes a highly engaged workforce more likely to thrive and contribute significantly to the organization’s success.

Decisiveness in talent acquisition

Successful talent leaders understand the importance of acting quickly in the hiring process. A slow, uncertain hiring process can lead to missed opportunities, as top candidates often accept offers elsewhere. 

By making decisions quickly and decisively, leaders secure top talent without unnecessary delays. Efficiency in recruiting helps maintain momentum and brings in candidates who can immediately contribute to the organization’s objectives.

Empathy

Empathy is a core trait of successful talent leaders. They connect with employees personally, understanding their challenges and providing the support needed for growth. According to E&Y research, 86% of employees feel empathetic leadership enhances morale.

Empathetic leaders create a supportive environment where employees feel valued and understood. 

This emotional intelligence fosters strong relationships within teams, helping to build a culture of trust, collaboration, and high performance. Empathy enhances communication and makes leaders more approachable.

Read about how to evaluate candidates’ skills with an empathy assessment.

Top 10 talent leaders of 2025

Forbes India recognizes the below talent leaders who had exceptional contributions in reshaping talent acquisition, development, and management:

• Anshul Bhargava- As a leader at Firstsource, Anshul has driven initiatives to upskill the workforce and foster a culture of inclusivity.
  
• Asma Sultana – At Alorica, Asma focuses on developing programs that boost employee engagement and skill development.
  
• Devi Prasad Dash – With Apollo Health, Devi has pioneered strategies to streamline talent acquisition in the healthcare sector.
  
• Gajendra Menon – Leading NTT DATA, Gajendra emphasizes the importance of reskilling to keep up with tech advancements.
  
• Harsh Verma – At Avaya, Harsh champions innovative recruitment techniques to attract top talent.
  
• Kanwal Kaul – A notable leader at NatWest, Kanwal is committed to diversity and inclusive hiring.
  
• Karthik SM – At Biocon Biologics, Karthik focuses on bridging skill gaps in the biotech industry.
  
• Mino Thomas – At Adobe, Mino leads strategic talent engagement and retention efforts.
  
• Nitin Khurana – With Indegene, Nitin has implemented programs to elevate the workforce’s skills in healthcare solutions.
  
• Rajeev Sharma – At Amazon, Rajeev is recognized for his scalable recruitment and employee development efforts.

How do talent leaders cultivate and improve employee potential?

Anyone can be a leader, but it takes a unique combination of talent and essential power skills to elevate and develop employee potential truly. Below are the top three methods outstanding talent leaders use to achieve this.

Make employees participate in learning opportunities

Leaders in top companies ensure all employees have access to career growth by creating specific learning opportunities. Research shows that 47% of employees believe training helps them upskill. 

For example, Walmart offers programs like “Associate to Driver,” allowing frontline workers to gain skills, such as a commercial driver’s license, leading to high-paying roles. Leaders recognize that learning helps employees keep up with changes, so they invest in training that promotes career advancement. 

Use AI for employee feedback

Leaders can encourage employee growth by using AI tools to tailor conversations about performance and development. Regular, personalized feedback helps employees set and achieve their goals. 

For example, in companies like ServiceNow, employees receive feedback whenever needed and can build their development plans with AI support. Their learning platform offers targeted training course recommendations to help employees gain the skills required for future roles, creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can access growth opportunities.

Read about how to build an inclusive workplace: Practical strategies.

Focus on soft skills rather than experience

Leaders can maximize employee potential by focusing on skills rather than credentials. Companies like Delta Air Lines and American Express are removing degree requirements and using platforms to track and develop employees’ skills. 

American Express’s “Navigator” tool lets employees outline their career goals and strengths, making matching them with growth opportunities easier. AI-powered talent marketplaces are also used to connect internal candidates to roles that align with their skills, promoting skill-based hiring and broader talent mobility.

Final takeaway

The role of a talent leader is essential for a company’s success. Companies that manage talent often perform better because they attract top employees who drive growth and innovation.

Talent leaders are more than just recruiters—they’re a vital part of the company’s future, helping develop employees’ skills and leadership qualities. Focusing on talent helps the organization stay competitive and adaptable to market changes.