High potential employees are typically people who are able, willing and motivated to advance up the management ladder to a leadership position.
But they can also be people who inspire and empower colleagues and advance the business in other ways.
High potential is not to be confused with high performance.
High potential employees drive organisational growth and attainment, while high performance employees are individual high achievers.
Many organisations use personality assessments or psychometric testing as well as ongoing performance appraisals to spot high potential employees.
Their characteristics may vary depending on the organisation’s values and activities.
There’s no definitive list, but traits such as good social skills, resilience, intellectual or practical ability and drive or motivation are often linked to high potential employees.