## Leadership development: Explore resources to build and deploy internal talent

## Resources to help HR professionals develop internal talent, enable mobility and reduce reliance on external hiring.

Leadership development helps organizations identify, develop and prepare talent aligned to evolving workforce needs. By shifting from hiring-first strategies to skills-based approaches, organizations can build stronger internal pipelines and improve workforce agility.

[Build internal talent pipelines](https://www.phoenix.edu/workforce-solutions/attract-and-retain-talent.html)
## Understand talent and hiring challenges

Organizations often rely on traditional hiring strategies that do not fully address workforce gaps. Talent shortages, evolving skill requirements and limited internal development, can restrict long-term workforce performance.

- [The Trouble With Skills-Based Hiring](/workforce-solutions/workforce-resources/posts/leadership-development/what-employers-get-wrong-about-skills-based-hiring) | April 10, 2026 • 7 minutes

- [The ROI of Strategic Workforce Development](/workforce-solutions/workforce-resources/posts/leadership-development/the-roi-of-strategic-workforce-development) | February 16, 2026 • 5 minutes

- [Recruiting Won’t Help Labor Shortage](/workforce-solutions/workforce-resources/posts/leadership-development/recruiting-wont-help-labor-shortage) | December 03, 2025 • 5 minutes

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## Rethink hiring and talent strategy

Organizations can improve talent strategies by shifting from role-based hiring to skills-based strategies. These approaches prioritize capability over credentials and align hiring and development with workforce needs.

### Building an effective upskilling program

### Brief: turning skills first intent into better hiring outcomes (PDF)

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## Build internal talent pipelines

Developing internal talent pipelines enables organizations to reduce reliance on external hiring and build capabilities aligned to business priorities. Structured development programs create repeatable pathways for critical roles.

### Building internal talent mobility (PDF)

### How business can solve the forever labor shortage (PDF)

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## Enable internal mobility

Internal mobility can help organizations[identify and develop](https://www.phoenix.edu/workforce-solutions/leadership-development-training.html)talent based on skills rather than job titles. It may also support retention, improve engagement and help organizations respond more effectively to changing workforce demands.

### Nurturing internal talent in healthcare (PDF)

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## See how organizations build and deploy talent

Case studies demonstrate how organizations develop internal talent pipelines, support workforce mobility and improve talent outcomes through structured development strategies.

### University of Phoenix and Manpower Case Study (PDF)

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## Explore leadership development resources

These resources support leaders in designing and implementing strategies to identify, develop and deploy workforce talent aligned to business needs.

### Unlocking leadership potential in your employees (PDF)

### Using AI for scenario-based learning

## Frequently asked questions about leadership development

These frequently asked questions provide clear answers about leadership development, internal mobility and skills-based talent strategies.

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### What is leadership development?

Leadership development is the process of identifying, developing and preparing employees to take on current and future leadership roles through training, coaching, mentoring and hands-on experiences.

### Why is internal mobility important?

Internal mobility can help organizations retain talent, improve employee engagement and fill critical roles by enabling employees to move into new opportunities based on their skills and potential.

### What is skills-based hiring?

Skills-based hiring is an approach that focuses on a candidate’s capabilities and skills rather than primarily on job titles, degrees or previous roles to better align talent with business needs.

### How do organizations build internal talent pipelines?

Organizations can build internal talent pipelines by identifying high-potential employees, investing in leadership development, creating upskilling opportunities and providing clear career pathways aligned to workforce priorities.

## Common talent strategy challenges

Organizations face several challenges when building and deploying internal talent, especially when relying on traditional hiring and fragmented development approaches.

Develop talent from within, support internal mobility and align workforce development to business needs.

[Build internal talent pipelines](https://www.phoenix.edu/workforce-solutions/attract-and-retain-talent.html)