I had the privilege of representing CISOSHARE, CyberForward Academy, and TalentSplit among policy makers, practitioners, and innovators at Mar-a-Lago a little over a week ago. The experience highlighted the exceptional work underway by so many and underscored the growing importance of crossing the competency canyon to reach it.
The amazing work being done
So many amazing leaders and their organizations or agencies are developing game-changing innovation that will power America forward. However, it also reinforced why I am passionate about our teams’ efforts in building companies that support and secure this innovation, as well as building the next generation of required talent to develop and then operate it.
Crossing the competency canyon was a key theme
Across these discussions, one theme was clear. The United States needs significantly more technical talent to meet our innovation priorities. Also, as we continue to identify even greater objectives, we need the ability to develop that talent even faster and at scale. I have been calling this crossing the competency canyon. It is the means in which we can best transition technical learners into skilled innovation workers that are productive.
My background in sports has shown me that execution in any of these complex endeavors requires skilled resources. Resources who understand and are proficient in preparation, teamwork, technical capability, continued and consistent practice, and an ability to execute among other things. With my time as a credentialed teacher, our teams work in non-profits supporting workforce development, and my background in business I have learned so many lessons. It is these experiences I am using to lead our teams and bring these ideas together into a cohesive framework.
Moving forward to cross the competency canyon.
There are four capabilities I believe we must build in the United States to help Americans cross the competency canyon. Further, we must apply them consistently if we want to remain competitive in innovation. These capabilities cannot sit within a single domain such as education or government alone. They require a team-based model built on standards that drives alignment, speed, and scale across the entire United States. This is my mission and of those I am leading.
These are the same capabilities we focus on across our ecosystem of companies to support innovation and cross the competency canyon. Since meaningful innovation is always a team effort, I often use soccer as a straightforward way to describe these capabilities.
1. A uniform way to measure technical proficiency
In soccer, this is structured player performance measurement and keeping score that traverses a player’s career. In technology, we need transparent and repeatable assessments that show the learner where they are over years, not through just a class. We also need to give them insight so they can plan where they need to go along their learning journey. Finally, we need to provide individualized support and guidance along the way as they execute the plan. This guidance and direction is a key component to crossing the competency canyon.
2. Common innovation standards across schools, businesses, government, and communities
In soccer, this is a consistent set of rules and field dimensions regardless of where you play or at what level. Whether for a pick-up game, a local youth club or the national team. In technology, shared standards allow alignment across classes, training programs, internships, jobs, industries and in community-based organizations. This helps so talent can progress with consistency and without starting over each time.
3. Accessible innovation training and development centers built on shared standards
This his is the network of consistent sports parks and stadiums in soccer that make training available to anyone. In technology, this means creating environments where people can learn, practice, and innovate with real tools and in realistic situations. Just think if we had as many IT support training centers or makers spaces that are as accessible as we do sports parks. Making this a reality is my purpose and another key component to crossing the competency canyon.
4. Scalable development techniques such as video and recorded analysis
In soccer, youth players use platforms like Trace or Hudl to learn and experience the game. Further, all of us can learn through watching professional games on networks like ESPN. In technology, realistic or even more aligned AI recorded work, simulations, and structured feedback loops can accelerate learning and scale. Innovation is still a human process, and it can be helpful to see us all being human as we learn and produce while we do it. Seeing innovation first hand is an amazing way to scale talent in crossing the competency canyon.
Conclusion
The United States needs these four elements working together and available nationwide as critical success factors in crossing the competency canyon. We have been building models and programs that support this approach across CISOSHARE, CyberForward Academy, and TalentSplit for the last. More on these efforts will be shared soon.
About the author
Mike Gentile is the founder and CEO of Talentsplit, CISOSHARE, and CyberForward Academy. His work centers on maintaining United States leadership by securing innovation and developing the talent required to sustain it.
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