What Are the Characteristics of a High Potential Employee?

What if you have a rock star working for you, but you have no idea? Maybe you have a gem in your company, but you haven’t done anything to show that you see their potential.

In order to function smoothly, every company needs exceptional employees as they can help propel the company further forward than ever before.

It can be tricky to spot those employees that can take a company to the next level, but it’s a necessary task.

If you’re interested in learning about the characteristics of potential employees and how to identify them, this article is for you.

Drive to Succeed

This employee potential separates those who are merely ambitious from those who are truly determined to reach their goals. It is this level of dedication and motivation that employers are looking for in their top employees.

Those who have the drive to succeed are always looking for ways to improve their performance and contribute to the company. They are eager to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

Ability to Handle Pressure

When it comes to the ability to handle pressure, high employee potential is typically characterized as being able to stay calm under pressure, being able to think clearly and make decisions quickly, and being able to work well under pressure.

They are also usually able to effectively communicate with those around them, even when there is a lot of pressure.

Desire to Be the Best

High potential employees possess a desire to be the best in everything they do. This desire is characterized by a willingness to work hard, a focus on results, and a passion for learning.

These employees are also typically proactive, taking the initiative to improve their skills and knowledge. They are also usually coachable, willing to receive feedback and implement suggestions for improvement. 

Willingness to Learn

A high potential employee is someone who is always willing to learn new things. They are always looking for ways to improve their skills and knowledge.

They are excited about their work and are always looking for new challenges. They are also able to work well under pressure and handle difficult situations.

Confidence to Take on New Challenges

Employees with high potential are usually high achievers who are always looking for ways to improve their performance. They set high standards for themselves and are always seeking to learn new things.

These are usually determined during employee vetting and employee potential assessment.

High Potential Employee 101

If you want to be a high potential employee, you need to have certain characteristics. You need to be passionate about your work, have a positive attitude, be coachable, and be able to take initiative.

You also need to be able to adapt to change and have a growth mindset. If you have these, you will be successful in any organization.

If you’re interested in attracting and retaining high potential employees, provide them with opportunities for learning and development, and offer them challenging assignments that allow them to stretch their abilities.

Read on for more work-related articles like this one.