A “high-potential employee” is an employee who has been identified as having the potential, ability and aspiration for successive leadership positions within the company. Often, these employees are provided with focused development as part of a succession plan and are referred to as "HiPos."

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High-Potential or HIPO

A “high-potential employee” is an employee who has been identified as having the potential, ability and aspiration for successive leadership positions within the company. Often, these employees are provided with focused development as part of a succession plan and are referred to as “HiPos.”


Our research shows that top performing companies separate the evaluation of "performance" from "potential," using tools like two dimensional grids (9-box, etc) to compare high-performers with high-potentials.

Our research also shows that there are five elements to a world-class HIPO strategy:  Plan, Identify, Develop, Transition, and Manage.  Fewer than 15% of companies have strong programs in all areas, and most fall short in identification of HIPOs and in the transition and management of HIPOs in their new roles. In fact one of the biggest derailers of leaders is a tendency for organizations to move them into high powered positions without enough transition support.

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