Talentos Ocultos -

Talentos Ocultos: Uncovering Systemic Blind Spots in Human Capital Management

[Generated for Academic Purposes] Course: Organizational Behavior & Strategic HRM Date: April 17, 2026 Abstract In the contemporary knowledge economy, organizations claim to prioritize meritocracy and innovation. Yet, a significant reservoir of potential remains systematically underutilized: Talentos Ocultos (Hidden Figures). This paper defines hidden talents as individuals or groups possessing high cognitive, creative, or technical potential that remains unrecognized due to structural, cognitive, or social biases rather than a lack of competence. Drawing on signaling theory, implicit bias research, and social capital frameworks, this paper identifies three primary sources of hidden talent: (1) non-traditional credential holders, (2) neurodivergent individuals, and (3) socioeconomically disadvantaged high-potentials. We propose a three-phase model for organizational intervention—Detection, Re-signaling, and Integration—to convert latent talent into competitive advantage. The paper concludes with ethical considerations and a call for algorithmic and procedural transparency. 1. Introduction The metaphor of the "war for talent" has dominated strategic HR discourse for two decades. However, this war is often fought on a narrow battlefield: elite universities, previous job titles, and polished interview performances. By focusing on conventional signals (degrees, years of experience, smooth social fluency), organizations inadvertently create a shadow workforce—individuals whose capabilities are real but whose credentials are invisible. The 2016 film Hidden Figures (adapted from Margot Lee Shetterly’s book) dramatizes this phenomenon: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson possessed genius-level mathematical talent, yet their contributions were initially obscured by racial and gender biases. This paper extends that metaphor to contemporary organizational contexts, arguing that the failure to recognize hidden talent is not merely a social injustice but a critical market inefficiency. 2. Literature Review: Why Talent Remains Hidden Three interlocking mechanisms explain the persistence of hidden talent. 2.1 Signaling Theory and Credential Inflation Spence (1973)’s signaling theory posits that education and work history function as costly signals of productivity. However, when organizations over-rely on specific signals (e.g., an Ivy League degree), they commit a signaling fallacy : mistaking the proxy for the attribute. Self-taught programmers, community college graduates with capstone projects, or career-changers with portfolio work send weak signals in a system designed for strong, traditional ones. 2.2 Cognitive and Affective Biases Implicit bias research (Greenwald & Banaji, 1995) demonstrates that evaluators unconsciously associate competence with dominant-group characteristics (e.g., assertive communication, specific accents, or conventional professional dress). The halo effect for “culture fit” often masks horn effects for non-traditional backgrounds. Neurodivergent individuals (autistic, dyslexic, ADHD) may possess superior pattern recognition or risk analysis but are filtered out due to poor eye contact or non-linear interview responses. 2.3 Social Capital Asymmetry Granovetter’s (1973) strength of weak ties suggests that opportunity flows through networks. Hidden talents often lack access to professional networks that broadcast opportunities. Without a “sponsor” or insider referral, their applications languish in applicant tracking systems (ATS) that keyword-filter for traditional credentials. 3. Typology of Talentos Ocultos This paper identifies three empirically supported categories: Talentos Ocultos