For any organization, losing a high potential (HiPo) employee can be upsetting as it is not easy finding resources who have the right qualifications and dedication to perform. There is always a looming threat of such HiPos getting seized by your competitors in case you fail to nurture them.
It makes sense to hire a HiPo employee rather than a fresh candidate in these times where the market is extremely competitive. Firstly, they come with the necessary amount of experience to immediately take up work confidently as compared to a newbie who needs to be first trained. Secondly, it turns out to be highly cost-effective.
This is exactly why every company must try to retain their best talent by nurturing them. But how do you do this? By first identifying those who have the right attitude to achieve goals and the dedication to grow. Building a workforce that comprises such employees will ensure your business is ready to take on the competition.
Here are the qualities that you must look for in an employee to identify their true potential:
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Strong Interpersonal Skills :
Your best talent must have strong people skills in order to work in harmony with a team. HiPo employees know that team effort brings the best results and their interpersonal skills are crucial to get the best out of everyone involved.
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Ready to Take an Initiative :
When an employee is not afraid to take the initiative and resolve an issue, it is a big sign that they have a high potential. Such employees turn out to be great leaders and know how to take the entire team ahead.
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Positive Attitude :
It is easy to dwell on an issue and stay stuck, but a high potential employee focuses on the next step. They have the right attitude to identify what is wrong and take steps to rectify it without getting involved in the blame game.
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Ability to Learn :
An employee with the desire and ability to learn is always going to be a major asset to the company. Such employees take up every opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and stay up-to-date with the market trends. Now that you know the qualities to look for in your top talent, here’s how you can bring out the best in them:
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Provide Flexible Learning Opportunities:
For HiPos, traditional training methods are inadequate which is why they need to be coached and mentored by the veterans to learn leadership skills. Additionally, they must be provided with flexible learning solutions with the help of LMS to ensure their time doesn’t get wasted in attending classroom training sessions.
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Do not Micromanage:
One of the worst things you can do to a HiPo is micromanaged their every activity. Whilst you may feel you are giving them direction by doing this, you are actually showing them that you do not trust them to do their job well. It is best to give them the autonomy to structure their work and take their decisions.
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Utilize their Full Potential:
It is extremely disappointing for any employee when they have the talent as well as knowledge but are not utilized to their full potential. This makes them feel demotivated and can cause them to get disengaged. It is important to encourage them by providing them relevant opportunities to exhibit their abilities.
Conclusion :
The key to developing a successful high-potential employee program is continuous attention, as it is not a one-time process. When you nurture HiPos with the above-mentioned tips, you build a solid foundation for your company that is ready to face all kinds of challenges. You’re also ensuring employee satisfaction by giving your best talent a chance to grow in their career.
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