This exercise is designed to give you practical experience in using the Four Quadrants Matrix to
differentiate your employees and to make plans for managing them in the future. For each employee, you
will assess their performance, consider how well they align with core value of the organization, and
identify areas for improvement or professional development.
Use the Four Quadrants Matrix above as a framework to assess your direct reports in your current
workplace. If you have no direct reports, use a group of individuals with whom you are familiar. Create a
Talent Engagement Chart, like the sample chart below, with a row for each employee.
• Include an Introduction and a Conclusion
• Include 4 to 6 employees from your workplace in your chart
• List and clearly define the core values you will use to assess your employees
•
Use first names only and change the names if you wish
• For each employee, create a row in the chart
Your task is to select one Quadrant for each employee and to indicate the placement that you chose in
the Type column. Think carefully about the core values of your company and use them to assess these
employees. Use the format below to organize your assignment:
Introduction
Briefly explain the purpose of the overall Talent Engagement exercise. Describe the
company’s core values that you will use to assess your employees.
Chart
Include your Talent Engagement Chart here. See the sample below for the chart format.
Rationale Statement
Write a Rationale statement of 4 to 6 paragraphs, explaining why you positioned each
person in the selected quadrant, assessing their work, describing how well they align with
the core values, and identifying areas for improvement or development. Then, based on
your analysis, briefly indicate your plan for managing each employee in the future. In
writing your Rationale, use the sample statement on the next page as a guide.
Conclusion
Reflect on your experience using this tool. Did you find the exercise beneficial, and would
you use some similar tool as a manager in the future? Why or why not?
