Developing High-Potential Leaders Step #5: Defining & measuring potential

Richard Hodge, back for the last and final time on your learning journey. I will be addressing our 1st truth from our white paper titled 5 Truths and a Lie About High-Potential Leadership Programs. It will be accompanied by a short self-assessment webinar with Dr. Richard Dapra, our second white paper on Decoding the Measurement of Potential, and finally, a journey playbook.

Now, on to the importance of defining and measuring potential. On a plus side, we saw solid results when organizations did the following:

• Created a clear and consistent definition across, up, and down the organization of what constitutes high potential.
• Next, they kept a clear separation between performance and potential. They believe that strong current performance were table stakes for being considered, and then didn't confuse the objective measurement of potential with the candidate’s current performance.
• They found objective and realistic ways to measure potential, including the use of tools, observers, coaches, and simulations.
• They did not over-complicate the process with “OD speak,” complex competencies, and behaviors that were not validated against performing at the next level.
• They implemented simple and consistent approaches that managers and leaders could be trained to use.
• They use tools, methods, and practices to measure the behaviors that are required for increased levels of challenge and complexity above where they operated today.
• On a negative note, we found that most organizations defaulted to measuring current performance in the current role, which is limited predictive value, and did not employ the use of special assignments, simulations, innovation labs, or cross-functional assignments to observe, measure, and assess potential leaders’ ability to work beyond their current level, demonstrate agility and the ability to succeed in ambiguous situations

If you have this aspect nailed, good for you. But if you are in a place like most organizations, help is on the way. And be sure to listen to Dr. Rich’s webinar and/or read his provocative new white paper.