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Develop an Impactful High-Potential Program

A high-potential program is greater than the sum of its parts.

  • The lack of a clear definition leads to difficulties in effectively assessing for high potential and risks amplifying inequities in development.
  • Organizations fail to leverage different training methods, leading to the ineffective development of hi-po employees.
  • Furthermore, organizations miss the opportunity to use hi-po programs to support the growth of diverse talent.

Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst.


  • Get on-demand project support
  • Get advice, coaching, and insight at key project milestones
  • Go through a Guided Implementation to help you get through your project

Our Advice

Critical Insight

  • The success of a hi-po program is based on the whole, not one individual part – they all work together to create the program.
  • Purposefully design a hi-po program that consistently identifies and develops the right people, helping achieve their aspirations and organizational goals from start to finish.

Impact and Result

  • Develop a formalized program that realizes the full benefits of high-potential employees.
  • Ensure the program delivers its purpose by defining high-potential as it relates to the organization, identifying assessment methods that successfully assess for that definition, creating a development framework that helps hi-po employees achieve their potential, and regularly evaluating and iterating the program to align with the needs of the organization.
  • Keep diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of the hi-po program to intentionally develop a diverse pipeline of future leaders for the organization.

Develop an Impactful High-Potential Program Research & Tools

3. Outline high-potential development

Select program format, outline timelines, development framework and define next steps for hi-pos.

4. Plan to support and implement the program

Align hi-po program with other HR programs, communicate the program, and implement.


Workshop: Develop an Impactful High-Potential Program

Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Define High-Potential

The Purpose

  • Collect organizational information to inform hi-po definitions and participant outcomes.
  • Determine the appropriate level of transparency for the organization.
  • Define program goals and metrics.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • A unique hi-po definition.
  • Participant outcomes that fulfill the needs of the organization.
  • Needs analysis and program constraints defined.
  • Program goals and metrics.

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Review organizational information and program constraints

  • Organizational information and the current state of inclusion are reviewed
1.2

Define hi-po and participant outcomes

  • Hi-po definition and participant outcomes are created
1.3

Determine level of transparency

  • Level of transparency for the program is selected
1.4

Set program goals and metrics

  • Goals and metrics for the hi-po program are set

Module 2: Determine Scope of Assessments

The Purpose

  • Outline selection into the hi-po program, including the scope of selection assessments, the amount of hi-potentials selected, and the cadence of selection.
  • Outline development in the hi-po program by determine the scope of development assessments.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • Selection into the hi-po program is defined.
  • The scope of development assessments is set.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Determine scope of selection assessments

  • Scope of selection assessments is set
2.2

Define how many hi-po employees will be selected

  • Number/percentage of hi-po employees are determined
2.3

Outline cadence for selection

  • Cadence of selection is established
2.4

Determine scope of development assessments

  • Scope of development assessments is set
2.5

Review key criteria to evaluate assessments

  • Key criteria is reviewed to evaluate assessments

Module 3: Select Assessments

The Purpose

  • Choose the selection assessments and determine the baseline thresholds for the assessments.
  • Select assessments for development.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • Selection and development assessments are chosen.
  • Baseline thresholds for selection assessments are determined.

Activities

Outputs

3.1

Select assessment(s) for selection

  • Selection assessments are chosen
3.2

Determine baseline threshold for selection assessments

  • Baseline threshold for selection assessments is set
3.3

Select assessment(s) for development

  • Development assessments are selected
3.4

Adjust program constraints

  • Program constraints are adjusted according to the assessments selected, if necessary

Module 4: Determine the Structure of the Program

The Purpose

  • Review program format options and select the most appropriate one for the organization.
  • Determine amount of time dedicated to development and the program duration.
  • Build a development framework that achieves the needs of the hi-po program.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • Program format is established.
  • Time dedicated to development and the program duration is set.
  • Development framework is built according to the needs of your organization.

Activities

Outputs

4.1

Select program format

  • Program format is outlined
4.2

Outline time dedicated to development and program duration

  • Time dedicated to development and program duration are determined
4.3

Outline the development framework for hi-pos

  • Development framework for hi-po employees is selected
4.4

Define next steps for hi-pos after program concludes

  • Next steps for hi-po employees after the program are defined

Module 5: Roll Out

The Purpose

  • Review HR programs and any adjustments that must be made to incorporate the hi-po program.
  • Assess the different roll out options to determine the best approach.
  • Determine an action and communication plan.

Key Benefits Achieved

  • HR programs are examined to determine any adjustments that need to be made because of the hi-po program.
  • Rollout method is selected and action and communication plans are set.

Activities

Outputs

5.1

Identify HR program integration points

  • A plan to integrate the hi-po program into other HR programs is defined
5.2

Decide on program rollout

  • Program rollout method is determined
5.3

Develop action and communication plan

  • Action and communication plan
Develop an Impactful High-Potential Program preview picture

About McLean & Company

McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your HR problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst

Get the help you need in this 4-phase advisory process. You'll receive 7 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Guided Implementation 1: Define high-potential
  • Call 1: Define high-potential and participant outcomes.
  • Call 2: Evaluate program transparency level and set goals and metrics.

Guided Implementation 2: Select assessment methods
  • Call 1: Determine scope of assessments methods
  • Call 2: Review selected assessment methods.

Guided Implementation 3: Outline high-potential development
  • Call 1: Interpret development assessment results to outline development program.
  • Call 2: Review learning methods and determine next steps for hi-pos once the program concludes.

Guided Implementation 4: Plan to support and implement the program
  • Call 1: Decide on roll-out method and plan for program communication and training.

Contributors

  • Bob Bilsborough, Chief Human Resources Officer, SKYGEN
  • Sara Canaday, Leadership Keynote Speaker, Award-winning Author and Consultant, Sara Canaday & Associates
  • Reagan Carnegie, Senior Director, Culture and Learning, Finastra
  • Mark Dickinson, Global Head/VP of Human Resources, Phillips Medical Systems
  • Lisa Downs, President Owner, New Aspect Coaching
  • Frederick Dubose, Executive Talent Acquisition Officer, Houston Airport Services
  • Adam Goldman, Vice President, Human Resources, Cacique, Inc
  • Tammy Heermann, Founder, Tammy Heermann Consulting
  • Lorie Hunchak, Director People Development, BCI
  • Rob Kaiser, President, Kaiser Leadership Solutions
  • Suzan Khatcherian, Senior Director, Learning Solutions, McLean & Company
  • Susanne Latimer, Manager of HR Leadership, Bruce Power
  • Ian MacRae, Author, Head of Workplace Psychology, Clear Review
  • Lisa Mikkelsen, Head of Global Human Capital, Flourish Ventures
  • Colleen O’Brien, Vice President, Self-Management Assessments
  • Nicholas Phillips, Principal, Acorn Consulting
  • Rupa Popat, Principal, Talent & Performance, Finastra
  • Jennifer Waxman, Director Research & Advisory, McLean & Company
  • Laurie Xiang, Learning and Development Lead, York Region