Amplify the NOISE

How can we identify learning and create talent development strengths and needs for employees and departments while keeping their voices and autonomy central? A standard method may be to ask employees to complete a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. However, whereas SWOT leaves people feeling defeated, a different method—a NOISE (needs, opportunities, improvements, strengths, exceptions) analysis—offers individuals a sense of empowerment. The latter can create a way for us to partner with workers to develop more explicit areas for their career development.