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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.

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  • Get advice, coaching, and insight at key project milestones
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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.

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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.

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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