The Orbit of People: A Revolutionary Approach to Human Capital Development

The Talent Paradox: Why Most Organizations Get It Wrong

In every organization, there exists an invisible dynamic that shapes its future. While most attention and resources are directed toward addressing underperformance, the true drivers of success—exceptional employees who deliver outstanding results and positively influence culture—often receive the least attention.

This phenomenon creates the “talent paradox”: organizations obsessively focus on fixing problems while neglecting to nurture their greatest assets. After two decades of consulting with over fifty companies across various sectors, I’ve observed that approximately 80% of an organization’s resources are typically dedicated to managing the bottom 20% of performers, while the top 10-20% of talent—those who generate the majority of innovation, results, and positive culture—receive minimal systematic development.

This imbalance led me to develop the Orbit of People Matrix, a methodology that fundamentally shifts how organizations identify, develop, and retain their most valuable human capital.

Beyond Performance Metrics: The Two Dimensions of Employee Value

Traditional talent management systems evaluate employees based on their job performance and results. However, this one-dimensional approach fails to capture the full spectrum of value an employee brings to an organization.

The Orbit of People Matrix introduces a more comprehensive framework by mapping employees across two critical dimensions:

1. Business Result Impact (BRI): How effectively employees fulfill their work responsibilities, focusing on quality, professionalism, responsibility, dedication, and consistency in delivering measurable outcomes.
2. Business Culture Impact (BCI): How positively employees influence the work environment and colleagues through attitudes and behaviors that enhance team cohesion, knowledge sharing, and organizational climate.

This dual-axis mapping creates a “constellation” of talent within the organization:

Stars

Employees with high BRI and high BCI represent the organization’s most valuable assets. These individuals not only deliver exceptional results but also positively influence those around them, serving as role models and cultural ambassadors. Their impact on both external business performance and internal organizational cohesion is unmistakable.

Suns

Employees with medium BRI and high BCI act as cultural catalysts. They light up the room with their positive attitudes, enhance creativity, support others, and strengthen team cohesion. Their openness and curiosity make them excellent candidates for development into future Stars.

Moons

Employees with high BRI and medium BCI are the reliable results drivers. With laser focus on tasks and outcomes, they consistently deliver exceptional performance. While they may sometimes appear as solo players with less developed social skills, their technical contributions are invaluable. With proper development, they can enhance their cultural impact and evolve into Stars.

From Theory to Practice: Implementing the Orbit Program

The Orbit of People program moves beyond a conceptual framework to practical implementation through a structured four-step process:

1. Comprehensive Assessment
   • Direct manager evaluation using the Orbita Questionnaire
   • Employee self-assessment through specialized tests (EQ, Motivation, Growth Mindset, etc.)
   • In-depth interviews
   • Expectations and satisfaction questionnaires
2. Customized Development Planning
   • Mapping needed skills and competencies
   • Creating personalized growth trajectories
   • Establishing clear career paths
3. Systematic Implementation
   • Six-month development cycles
   • Regular check-ins and mentorship
   • Intentional exposure to strategic initiatives
4. Continuous Measurement
   • Monthly progress evaluations
   • Adjustment of development activities
   • Recognition and celebration of achievements

Measurable Results Across Industries

The impact of implementing the Orbit of People program has been remarkable across diverse sectors:

• Reduced Turnover: Organizations experience an average 12% decrease in employee turnover within the first year
• Enhanced Engagement: 23% increase in reported feelings of belonging and identification with the company
• Improved Creativity: 21% increase in creative idea generation and innovation
• Greater Proactivity: 26% improvement in proactive behaviors as assessed by managers
• Positive Work Environment: 17% increase in workplace satisfaction
• Strategic Alignment: 24% improvement in employees’ understanding of organizational purpose and their role

Perhaps most tellingly, 60% of program participants reported that they had considered changing jobs—some had even interviewed elsewhere—but decided to stay specifically because of their involvement in the Orbit program.

The Case of Alma Ras: Transformation in the Textile Industry

The implementation of the Orbit program at Alma Ras, a leading textile manufacturer, illustrates its versatility and effectiveness even in industries traditionally challenged by employee retention issues.

Despite initial resistance from some managers who feared losing their top performers to other departments, the company established a three-step nomination process that ensured objectivity and organizational alignment. The program not only reduced turnover but transformed the company’s approach to talent development.

By systematically identifying Stars, Suns, and Moons across the organization and investing in their growth, Alma Ras successfully:

• Developed internal talent for management positions rather than recruiting externally
• Created stronger cross-departmental collaboration
• Established a culture where excellence became aspirational

Beyond Employee Retention: Cultural Transformation

The true power of the Orbit program extends beyond metrics. By shifting focus from problems to potential, from pathogenesis to salutogenesis, organizations fundamentally change their cultural DNA.

When companies systematically recognize, develop, and celebrate their high-performing employees, they create a gravitational pull toward excellence. Average performers naturally aspire to join the Orbit constellation, while underperformers either elevate their contributions or recognize they might thrive better elsewhere.

This represents a profound shift from the defensive, reactive management patterns that characterize many organizations to a proactive, strengths-based approach that energizes the entire system.

Implementation Insights for Organizations

For organizations considering implementing the Orbit of People methodology, several key principles ensure success:

1. Secure Leadership Commitment: The program requires genuine buy-in from the entire management team and alignment with broader business goals.
2. Invest in Thorough Preparation: Develop objective evaluation criteria that authentically capture your organization’s values and context.
3. Start with a Pilot: Begin with a small group (5-10 employees) to refine your approach before scaling.
4. Ensure Transparency: Communicate how employees are selected, what the program involves, and how it connects to career advancement.
5. Anticipate and Address Challenges: Proactively manage potential issues like manager resistance, perceived exclusivity, or two-tiered system concerns.
6. Measure Holistically: Track both quantitative metrics and qualitative impacts to demonstrate the program’s full value.

The ultimate goal is creating an environment where excellence is recognized, celebrated, and contagious—where your best people don’t just stay but thrive and inspire others to follow their example.

Conclusion: The Future of Human Capital Development

In an era where intellectual capital represents organizations’ most valuable asset, the Orbit of People Matrix offers a revolutionary approach to human capital development. By mapping, developing, and celebrating employees based on both their results and cultural contributions, organizations create a sustainable competitive advantage.

The methodology aligns with emerging research on positive psychology, employee engagement, and organizational development while providing practical tools for implementation. Most importantly, it addresses the fundamental imbalance in how organizations traditionally allocate attention and resources.

As we continue to refine and expand this approach, one truth remains constant: when organizations shift their focus from fixing weaknesses to amplifying strengths, they unlock extraordinary potential—not just in their exceptional employees, but throughout their entire constellation of talent.

Dr. Dragana Vujović Đermanović is an internationally recognized business mentor, named “Woman of the Decade in Leadership” at the Women Economic Forum in India and recognized among Europe’s Top 100 female entrepreneurs by The Hundert. As founder and CEO of Pepper Consulting Group, she has mentored over 1,000 leaders, managers, and company founders since 2009.