Firms needs to shift from recruiting skills and abilities to behaviours and attitudes, according to the Ochre House Network.

The think tank, which comprises Ochre House and 650 employers, including Aviva, GE Capital, Nokia, O2 and RWE npower, concluded that, to effectively align people and business strategies, organisations will need to attract and retain individuals who have ‘future proof’ skills and behaviours.

The think tank says skills in demand include foresight, insight and analysis, innovation and agility and capacity for change. Desired behaviours are adaptability, enthusiasm and energy, and focus on delivery.

Ochre House managing director Sue Brooks says: “Attracting ‘new’ types of people to an organisation will need to be based on selling a vision of the future and how they can help to shape it.

“However, it is essential that the picture of the corporate environment painted in the hiring process is an accurate one or there could be a significant risk of attrition. Or as one delegate put it, ‘organ rejection’. People must be allowed to be the people they were recruited to be. At the same time, the case for recruiting ‘new’ people must be made at all levels. Failure to do so could lead to resentment on the part of the current workforce.”