Looking ahead to 2014, one of the most urgent issues will be a new war for talent: not yesteryear’s broad-based need for all top talent but an increasing demand for the right kind of talent. For leaders, this means a new urgency in targeting, nurturing, and advancing top talent in their organization. Leaders have long recognized that an inherently diverse workforce – one that’s inclusive of women, people of color, and gay individuals – confers a competitive edge in selling products and services to diverse end users. But recent research from the Center for Talent Innovation (PDF) shows that an inherently diverse workforce can be a potent source of innovation, as diverse individuals are better attuned to the unmet needs of consumers or clients like themselves. How can leaders leverage and develop diverse talent in 2014? CTI research spotlights five ways: