Deeper Signals logo
Contact Us

5 ways to identify high potential staff

Author
Anjana Unni
Created on

Is your workforce ready to navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead? Today’s world is full of surprises, from economic fluctuations to global crises. While not every employee needs to excel in handling uncertainty, every organization relies on a select few with extraordinary potential, especially during crises, and these individuals are generally classified as High Potential (or HiPo) employees.

High potential employees are individuals within an organization who exhibit exceptional talent, and potential for growth and future leadership roles. Research suggests that HiPo employees are 91% more valuable than non-HiPo employees and put in 21% more effort than their colleagues. 

‍Five methods to identify high potential employees:

  1. ‍Look for three main psychological markers
    ‍Literature identifies three vital markers to consider while hiring talent: cognitive quotient for problem-solving and decision making, drive quotient for motivation and leveraging energy to take up challenging tasks and emotional quotient for ability to initiate influence and difficult conversations with empathy. Making informed hiring decisions should be based on reliable data provided by scientifically validated assessment tools like Deeper Signals. 
  2. Predict performance using talent analytics
    ‍Predicting performance using talent analytics provided by Core Drivers Diagnostic can provide you with information on how a person is likely to behave in various situations. By leveraging data-driven insights, hiring managers and talent acquisition professionals can identify candidates who not only possess the necessary skills and qualifications but also demonstrate the potential to thrive and contribute to the organizations’ success over the long term.
  3. Evaluate leadership potential
    ‍Studies indicate that 10% of individuals naturally exhibit leadership qualities, while an additional 20% have the potential to develop into exceptional leaders through proper leadership training and coaching programs. With the help of reliable data provided by talent assessments and Core Drivers, leaders and coaches can uncover the leadership potential employees and candidates. 
  4. Analyze cultural fit
    ‍It is vital to understand whether there is culture alignment between the candidate and the employers as research suggests that 88% of employers acknowledge that cultural misalignment might lead to staff turnover. You can utilize the Core Values Diagnostic to analyze motivations, values and goal-directed behaviors that align with the existing organizational culture. Look for individuals who are adaptable and can thrive in diverse and collaborative work environments; especially focussing on cognitive diversity.
  5. Assess cognitive diversity
    ‍Cognitive diversity is paramount for innovation and problem-solving. Deeper Signals can analyze working styles, preferences, and approaches, allowing recruiters to build teams with a rich blend of perspectives. By identifying individuals with diverse cognitive profiles, organizations can drive innovation and build effective teams.

Although identifying these individuals has often felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, advances in talent analytics help leaders find these valuable individuals; making succession planning and talent planning easier.

Gone are the days when employers used to select high potential candidates based on their “gut feeling”. Organizations are now looking at unbiased talent assessment solutions. Enter personality assessments like Deeper Signals that offer you reliable data based on the Five-Factor model to determine the potential of an individual and drive long term success at an organization.

Want more articles like this?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Practical insights on people and performance, delivered to your inbox

Recent posts

Articles

Decoding Our TA Tech Navigator Score: What Each Rating Means and Where We Stand

How much AI is scoring your candidates? Rocket-Hire’s TA Tech Navigator rates 542 vendors on AI, science and technology. We walk through each rating, explain where Deeper Signals stands, and answer the five questions every buyer should ask.
Read more
Guides & Tips

Is Your Hiring Assessment Defensible? A 4-Question Test

Could you prove your hiring assessment is fair and job-related if someone asked? With courts now holding hiring tools accountable, "the software did it" is no longer a defense. Here is a 4-question test to check where you stand.
Read more
Articles

The Traits That Predict Which Managers Build Engaged Teams

We promote the most confident person into management. The evidence says that's often the wrong instinct. Here's what actually predicts a manager who builds an engaged team.
Read more
Articles

What Does Your Hiring Process Signal to Candidates?

A hiring process is a two-way evaluation. While you read candidates, they're reading you. Here is what the research says about designing hiring that wins the candidates you actually want.
Read more
Guides & Tips

How to Turn Executive Assessment Data into a Leadership Narrative with an AI Skill

Psychometrics, 360s, interviews, references — this free Deeper Signals skill codes it all against a role's success criteria into an auditable leadership narrative.
Read more

Curious to learn more?

Schedule a call with Deeper Signals to understand how our assessments and feedback tools help people gain a deep awareness of their talents and reach their full potential. Underpinned by science and technology, we build talented people, leaders and companies.

Let’s talk!

  • Scalable interventions for growth
  • Measurable data, insights and outcomes for high performance
  • Proven scientific expertise that links results to outcomes