--- title: To Maximize Employee Potential, Go Deeper than Performance description: The higher an employee’s potential the faster, easier and more cost-effective it will be to groom that employee for a particular role but there's a difference between high performance and high potential. image: https://info.adaptivedge.com/hubfs/adaptivedge-hr-performance-1.jpg --- Call us Today! (866) 846-7123 [![AdaptivEdge](https://info.adaptivedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/adaptivedge.png?width=249&height=50&name=adaptivedge.png "AdaptivEdge")](http://adaptivedge.com/) - [Expertise](http://adaptivedge.com/expertise/) - [Microsoft AI Tools](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/ai-consulting-services/) - [Azure AI](ttps://adaptivedge.com/expertise/azure-ai-consulting/) - [Microsoft AI Builder](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-ai-builder-consulting/) - [Syntex](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-syntex-consulting/) - [Copilot](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-copilot-consulting/) - [Power Platform](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/power-platform-consulting/) - [Power BI](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/power-bi-consulting-and-implementation-services/) - [Power Apps](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/power-apps-consulting-and-development/) - [Power Automate](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/power-automate-consulting-and-development/) - [Power Pages](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/power-pages-consulting-experts/) - [Defender](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-defender-consulting/) - [Defender for Endpoint](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-defender-consulting/endpoint/) - [Defender for Cloud](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-defender-consulting/cloud/) - [Defender for Identity](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-defender-consulting/identity/) - [Defender for Office 365](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-defender-consulting/office-365/) - [Microsoft 365](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-365/) - [Azure](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-azure/) - [Intune](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-intune/) - [Corporate Device Enrollment](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-intune/corporate-device-enrollment/) - [GPO-to-Intune Migration](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-intune/gpo-to-intune-migration/) - [MAM without Enrollment](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-intune/mam-without-enrollment/) - [Device Compliance](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-intune/device-compliance/) - [SharePoint](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/sharepoint-online/) - [Teams](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/microsoft-teams/) - [OneDrive](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/one-drive-for-business/) - [Entra](https://adaptivedge.com/expertise/entra-consulting/) - [Solutions](http://adaptivedge.com/services/) - [M365 Migrations](https://adaptivedge.com/services/microsoft-365-migration-services/) - [SharePoint Migration](https://adaptivedge.com/services/sharepoint-migration-services/) - [Divestitures & Carve-Outs](https://adaptivedge.com/services/it-divestiture-and-carve-out-consulting/) - [Mergers and Acquisitions](https://adaptivedge.com/services/it-merger-and-acquisition-m-a-services/) - [Data Center-to-Azure](https://adaptivedge.com/services/azure-migration-services/) - [Box & Dropbox to Microsoft](https://adaptivedge.com/services/box-and-dropbox-migrations-to-microsoft-365/) - [Google Workspace to Microsoft](https://adaptivedge.com/services/google-workspace-to-microsoft-migrations/) - [File Server to Microsoft 365](https://adaptivedge.com/services/migrate-file-server-to-microsoft/) - [Enterprise Collaboration](https://adaptivedge.com/services/enterprise-collaboration-consulting/) - [Information Architecture](https://adaptivedge.com/services/microsoft-information-architecture/) - [Audio & Video Web Conferencing](https://adaptivedge.com/services/audio-video-conferencing-consultants/) - [eb Portal Development (Intranet & Extranet)](https://adaptivedge.com/services/web-portal-intranet-consulting-services/) - [ecords & Document Management](https://adaptivedge.com/services/document-management-consulting/) - [IT Security & Compliance](https://adaptivedge.com/services/it-cybersecurity-compliance-consulting-services/) - [Identity & Access Management](https://adaptivedge.com/services/iam-identity-access-management-services/) - [Endpoint & BYOD Security](https://adaptivedge.com/services/endpoint-protection-services-byod-security/) - [Managed Cloud Backup Services](https://adaptivedge.com/services/managed-cloud-backup-consulting/) - [Data Privacy](https://adaptivedge.com/services/data-privacy-security-protection-consulting/) - [Business Process Automation](https://adaptivedge.com/services/business-process-automation-consulting/) - [vCTO](https://adaptivedge.com/services/vcto/) - [Microsoft Licensing CSP](https://adaptivedge.com/services/microsoft-licensing-csp-partner/) - [Project Management](https://adaptivedge.com/services/project-management/) - [About](http://adaptivedge.com/about/) - [Resources](https://info.adaptivedge.com/resources/) - [Contact](http://adaptivedge.com/contact-us/) - [Schedule a Consultation](https://adaptivedge.com/consultation/) # To Maximize Employee Potential, Go Deeper than Performance 2019-07-17 17:00:00 Posted by [Lyndsay Soprano](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/author/lyndsay-soprano) on Jul 17, 2019, 10:00:00 AM ![Lyndsay Soprano](https://info.adaptivedge.com/hubfs/lyndsay-soprano.jpg) Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaysoprano/) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)   The 80/20 rule applies to the correlation between organizational output and the talent within that organization. In other words, the top 20 percent of talent accounts for 80 percent of output. Ideally, organizations would be able to invest in the growth and development of all employees. The fact is, few organizations have those kinds of resources. The key is to selectively focus resources on those employees with the greatest potential. An employee’s potential sets their developmental ceiling. The higher the potential, the faster, easier and more cost-effective it will be to groom that employee for a particular role. The more complex the role, the greater the payoff from top talent with the highest potential. In fact, high-potential employees are [**91 percent more valuable**](https://www.sagepeople.com/about-us/news-hub/how-to-identify-develop-high-potential-employees/) to an organization than other workers. These employees also tend to drive better performance from fellow employees. **The key is to be able to identify those high-potential employees.** The first step is to determine what type of potential you want in such an employee. Many organizations make the mistake of focusing on individual potential for success. The better approach, however, is to determine which individuals are most likely to have the greatest influence on the success of the organization. **There are several qualities of high potential that most top employees share.** The first is ability. Does an employee have the knowledge and skill to perform specific tasks and succeed in a particular role? Do they have the cognitive ability and natural curiosity to obtain new knowledge and skills? Do they have the vision required to be effective in a leadership role? High-potential employees also have the social skills to manage themselves and others. They need to be able to work well autonomously, but collaboration and productive relationships are critical to success. This requires the emotional intelligence to handle pressure, overcome adversity, compromise, listen to input from others, and solve problems. Finally, high-potential employees must have the drive to set goals, achieve success, and influence others to do the same for the benefit of the organization. Will, motivation, work ethic and initiative make up a person’s drive, which is critical to maximizing ability and social skills. **Keep in mind that there’s a [difference between high performance and high potential](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/high-potentials-vs-high-performers-a-managers-guide/).** High-performance employees are the rainmakers who consistently hit goals, complete projects and meet expectations. These workers are easy to spot. But they might not have the social skills and the drive to take on a leadership role or more complex tasks. High-potential employees, on the other hand, might not have the same track record, but they have the attributes and behaviors required to make a bigger impact. These characteristics are tougher to observe, tougher to quantify and tougher to evaluate. As a result, most organizations focus on performance, often leaving significant potential untapped. To be clear, poor performance rarely translates to high potential, but being a top performer doesn’t automatically mean an employee has the most potential. **Finding and developing high-potential employees** begins with recruiting and hiring the right people. Look for the qualities mentioned previously, not just past achievements and current skills. Nurture and develop your own talent. Set goals, provide coaching, and monitor progress. Offer training and reward progress. Be consistent with employee reviews. Seek feedback. Get beyond the numbers when evaluating performance to recognize potential. Maximizing performance is important to success, but identifying and maximizing potential can take your organization to a new level. Make sure you have a system in place that accounts for potential when recruiting and developing your employees. ***Written and composed by Lyndsay Soprano, Director of Marketing*** Tags: [Technology](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/technology), [SharePoint](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sharepoint), [Microsoft](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft), [Human Resources](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/human-resources), [ATS](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ats), [HRIS](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/hris), [Onboarding](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/onboarding), [Employee Satisfaction](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/employee-satisfaction), [Performance](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/performance) [![Download: A White Paper on HR Employee Communication](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/3330897/801422e0-71dc-4bf7-ab6e-bcd79caa7559.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/3330897/801422e0-71dc-4bf7-ab6e-bcd79caa7559) ### We're here to help! We'd love to find out more about the projects and initiatives you're working on to exchange ideas and provide some high-level guidance where we can.  We love learning from others as well as sharing some of our experience and lessons learned.  [Let's talk!](http://adaptivedge.com/contact-us/) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [SharePoint (47)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sharepoint) - [Microsoft (44)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft) - [Technology (37)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/technology) - [Office 365 (32)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/office-365) - [adaptivedge (27)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/adaptivedge) - [cybersecurity (26)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/cybersecurity) - [microsoft gold partner (20)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-gold-partner) - [OneDrive (19)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/onedrive) - [ATS (18)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ats) - [HRIS (18)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/hris) - [Human Resources (18)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/human-resources) - [Azure (17)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/azure) - [MS Announcement (16)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ms-announcement) - [Microsoft Entra (15)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-entra) - [data loss prevention (14)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/data-loss-prevention) - [microsoft teams (14)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-teams) - [DLP (13)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/dlp) - [Office 2013 (12)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/office-2013) - [Purview (12)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/purview) - [bookings (12)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/bookings) - [exchange (12)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/exchange) - [outlook (12)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/outlook) - [Cloud (10)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/cloud) - [Governance (8)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/governance) - [microsoft 365 (8)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-365) - [security (8)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/security) - [Enterprise (7)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/enterprise) - [Private Cloud (7)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/private-cloud) - [Onboarding (6)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/onboarding) - [cyberattack (6)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/cyberattack) - [system center (6)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/system-center) - [IoT (5)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/iot) - [Mobile HR (5)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/mobile-hr) - [PowerShell (5)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/powershell) - [Teams (5)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/teams) - [microsoft azure (5)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-azure) - [Active Directory (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/active-directory) - [Compliance (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/compliance) - [Employee Engagement (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/employee-engagement) - [Employee Satisfaction (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/employee-satisfaction) - [Licensing (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/licensing) - [O365 (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/o365) - [Secure Score (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/secure-score) - [privileged accounts (4)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/privileged-accounts) - [AI (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ai) - [Adaptive Edge (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/adaptive-edge) - [Classification (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/classification) - [Collaboration (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/collaboration) - [Data (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/data) - [E5 (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/e5) - [Education (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/education) - [IaaS (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/iaas) - [Labels (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/labels) - [PaaS (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/paas) - [Power BI (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/power-bi) - [Remote Workforce (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/remote-workforce) - [SCCM (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sccm) - [SQL (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sql) - [Search (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/search) - [Storage (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/storage) - [identity management (3)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/identity-management) - [AI & Copilot (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ai-copilot) - [API (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/api) - [Autmoation (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/autmoation) - [Azure AD (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/azure-ad) - [BI (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/bi) - [Backup & Recovery (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/backup-recovery) - [Copilot Cowork (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/copilot-cowork) - [GitHub (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/github) - [IT Administration (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/it-administration) - [Intune (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/intune) - [Microsoft 365 Updates (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-365-updates) - [Microsoft Dynamics (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-dynamics) - [Microsoft Graph (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-graph) - [PAWS (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/paws) - [People Analytics (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/people-analytics) - [Performance (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/performance) - [SKU (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sku) - [Safety (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/safety) - [Security & Compliance (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/security-compliance) - [Server (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/server) - [Windows Defender ATP (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/windows-defender-atp) - [Workflow Automation (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/workflow-automation) - [Zero Trust (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/zero-trust) - [copilot studio (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/copilot-studio) - [microsoft ignite (2)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/microsoft-ignite) - [Agentic AI (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/agentic-ai) - [Artificial Intelligence (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [Attack Surface (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/attack-surface) - [BYOL (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/byol) - [Business (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/business) - [Business Requirements (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/business-requirements) - [CASB (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/casb) - [CRM (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/crm) - [Cloud Computing (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/cloud-computing) - [Coexistence (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/coexistence) - [Customer Relationship Management (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/customer-relationship-management) - [DBaaS (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/dbaas) - [DMZ (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/dmz) - [Datacenter (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/datacenter) - [ERP (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/erp) - [Enterprise Visual Studio (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/enterprise-visual-studio) - [Group Writeback (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/group-writeback) - [HRSM (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/hrsm) - [Hybrid (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/hybrid) - [Infrastructure (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/infrastructure) - [LAPS (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/laps) - [Millennials (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/millennials) - [OMS (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/oms) - [OSD (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/osd) - [Offboarding (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/offboarding) - [Office 365 Groups (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/office-365-groups) - [PXE (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/pxe) - [Payroll (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/payroll) - [Performance Reviews (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/performance-reviews) - [Recruiting (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/recruiting) - [Requirements Gathering (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/requirements-gathering) - [SUP (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sup) - [SaaS (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/saas) - [Servers (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/servers) - [Skype (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/skype) - [Succession Planning (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/succession-planning) - [TEM (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/tem) - [Training and Development (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/training-and-development) - [Travel and Expense (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/travel-and-expense) - [UEBA (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/ueba) - [Unified Groups (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/unified-groups) - [UserVoice (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/uservoice) - [VM (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/vm) - [Virtualization (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/virtualization) - [Windows 10 (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/windows-10) - [custom scripts (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/custom-scripts) - [digital transformation (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/digital-transformation) - [disk utilization (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/disk-utilization) - [geotagging (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/geotagging) - [identity (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/identity) - [identity perimeter (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/identity-perimeter) - [mobile workforces (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/mobile-workforces) - [orchestrator (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/orchestrator) - [phishing (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/phishing) - [scom (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/scom) - [sharing (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/sharing) - [software update (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/software-update) - [windows automation (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/windows-automation) - [windows server (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/windows-server) - [workgroup (1)](https://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/tag/workgroup) see all ### OUR COMPANY As a Microsoft Gold Partner, AdaptivEdge helps customers evaluate various product options from a financial perspective as well as from a business and technical perspective. ### LINKS - [Home](http://adaptivedge.com/) - [Company](http://adaptivedge.com/about/) - [Expertise](http://adaptivedge.com/expertise/) - [Services](http://adaptivedge.com/services/) - [News & Events](http://adaptivedge.com/news-events/) - [Blog](http://adaptivedge.com/blog/) - [Contact](http://adaptivedge.com/contact-us/) ### Latest Posts ### SIGN-UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST Sign-up below for updates about AdaptivEdge today! ### Footer Newsletter - - - Copyright © 2026. AdaptivEdge, LLC. All rights reserved. Designed by [Bound-by Marketing](http://www.boundbymarketing.com)