High-potential employees, commonly called HIPOs, are among the most valuable contributors in any organization. It’s hard to know whether you are a high-potential employee, but the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) – General program from St. Thomas University (SUT) provides you with the skills to become one. Equally important, the 100% online MBA program helps you develop leadership competencies to nurture the skills of others, elevating the potential of your entire team.
Many companies purposely identify high-performing employees who also show a propensity for leadership. To retain these HIPOs, companies devote extra resources to developing them. If you think you may be a HIPO, or you aspire to become one, here are some tips to analyze your potential, starting with a definition of this high-value distinction.
High Performers vs. High-Potential Employees: What’s the Difference?
Not all high-performers are HIPOs. According to research from The Talent Strategy Group, organizations around the world distinguish between employees who deliver strong results today and those who show the capacity for significantly greater responsibility in the future. The difference comes down to aspiration, ability and engagement. These are qualities that go well beyond hitting performance metrics.
High-potential employees generally stand out among their high-performing peers. HIPOs use their talent and strong motivation not only to level up personally, but they also aspire to elevate their organization along the way.
What Are the Common Characteristics of High-Potential Employees?
HIPOs differentiate themselves by exhibiting impressive personal traits in addition to characteristics they share with high performers such as meeting goals and objectives. The following are common qualities of high-potential employees:
- Desire to lead
- Leadership and supervisory skills
- Devotion to the company
- Action orientation
- Strategic thinking
- Autonomy
- Drive to advocate for new opportunities
- Spirit of entrepreneurism
- Decision-making skills
- Ability to thrive under fast-paced conditions
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
- Interpersonal skills
What Can You Do to Attain and Maintain HIPO Status?
Attaining HIPO status starts with balancing your high-performing specialty skill, such as accounting, engineering or marketing with your leadership abilities and ambitions. This may seem counterintuitive, but consider that top corporate leaders must have a range of skills, understanding and credibility.
You may also need to gain skills, strengthen existing competencies or pursue additional credentials. A great way to accomplish all of this is to advance your education with an MBA degree. Designed for working professionals, STU’s online MBA model allows you to continue your career and keep pursuing promotion opportunities while you complete the degree and enhance your potential. STU also offers resources to help prospective students navigate the financial aid process and funding options available for graduate study.
What Are the Signs You May Be a High-Potential Employee?
Not all companies keep an actual list of HIPOs. Even if a company maintains such a list, it may never inform designated employees of their standing. However, several workplace signals suggest your organization identifies you as high-potential:
- Variety and quality of assigned projects: Being tapped to lead or collaborate on high-profile work across different functions is a strong signal. Routine tasks that keep you isolated from broader initiatives are less encouraging.
- Demand for your input from senior staff: When senior leaders consistently seek your perspective on strategic decisions, it reflects growing confidence in your judgment.
- Investment in your development beyond the basics: Enrollment in leadership or management training, assignment of a mentor or executive coach, and inclusion in programs alongside more senior colleagues all point in a positive direction. Basic compliance or skills training alone does not carry the same weight.
- Feedback focused on your future growth: Detailed feedback from senior managers, particularly guidance on how to stretch and improve, often signals that someone sees leadership potential in you.
Developing the Skills That Define High-Potential Leaders
As you analyze whether these experiences and indicators match your job experience, you may be able to determine whether you are among the HIPOs. Two traits consistently distinguish HIPOs from other high performers: the ability to motivate others and a strong sense of strategic vision.
STU’s online MBA degree develops the business acumen and leadership capabilities that define high-potential professionals, equipping you to grow into roles with greater responsibility. The program also prepares you to recognize and cultivate these same qualities in the teams you go on to lead.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online MBA – General program.
