This discussion guide is designed to help you think through the concepts presented in Nadya Shmavonian's paper, Foundation Strategies for Attracting and Managing Talent, and consider how you might apply them in the everyday practice of philanthropy. The guide has four components: a tool to define the most important competencies for a program professional position; a questionnaire to help plan professional development, performance differentiation, and transitions for program officers; a "thought experiment" on transitions; and a management case study. The exercises are designed primarily for groups, but can also be used by individuals.