{"id":251,"date":"2025-07-04T16:26:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T14:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/?p=251"},"modified":"2025-11-04T09:38:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:38:33","slug":"wat-is-een-high-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wat-is-een-high-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a high potential?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people seem to progress faster than others. They are entrusted with challenging tasks, stand out in teams and seem to handle change effortlessly. What makes these people seem to have more opportunities than others? These people are the so-called high potentials. This term sounds interesting and perhaps even a tad vague. After all, what is a high potential anyway? And why is it seen as something valuable in some organizations? In this blog you will read all about it. In addition, we tell you why the name high potential does not always say it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exactly is a high potential?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term \u2018high potential\u2019 often conjures up expectations of leadership, advancement opportunities and exceptional performance. But what exactly is a high potential? In short: it is someone who has more to offer than just excellent results in their current position. It is someone who has the ability and ambition to grow into a (future) leadership role. These people stand out because he or she not only performs, but also demonstrates qualities needed for more complex positions. These include learnability, adaptability and intrinsic motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Roger rutten de high performer\" class=\"wp-image-267 lazyload\" style=\"width:680px;height:auto\"><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Roger rutten de high performer\" class=\"wp-image-267\" style=\"width:680px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4698.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High potential versus high performer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common question is: So what is different in a high potential than in a high performer? Well, actually, a high performer, like a high potential, consistently achieves strong results in the current role. However, a high potential not only shows that he is good at current business, but also that he is able to grow faster, build new skills and take charge at a higher level. The difference therefore lies mainly in future orientation and the ability to handle more than one's own (current) function. A high potential has an overview of broader processes, sees connections between departments or strategies and can deal with more complex situations. Think of conflicts, changes or growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a high potential: 10 characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below we have collected ten clear characteristics that show exactly what a high potential is. You probably recognize yourself or others in some of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Learning capability<\/strong>: you pick up new insights and skills quickly, both technically and socially.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adaptability<\/strong>: changes you see as opportunities, you are not afraid of uncertainty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Results-oriented and growth-oriented<\/strong>: you don't just deliver performance, but also have an eye for what else is involved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leadership Ambition<\/strong>: you take responsibility even without being asked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Taking initiative<\/strong>: you come up with ideas and implement them, without waiting for instructions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interpersonal skills<\/strong>: you know how to get people on board and build your network effectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotional intelligence<\/strong>: you read yourself and others well and respond intuitively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-reflection<\/strong>: you seek feedback, see pitfalls and actively work to grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>O<strong>nder entrepreneurial mentality<\/strong>: you see opportunities off the beaten path and dare to experiment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Resilience<\/strong>: in the face of adversity, you keep going and learn from this very thing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This mix of knowledge, attitude, skills and environmental awareness clarifies what a high potential is. So it really is someone who is prepared for more than just the current role he or she is in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"high performers\" class=\"wp-image-270 lazyload\" style=\"width:683px;height:auto\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"high performers\" class=\"wp-image-270\" style=\"width:683px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/roger-rutten-_dsc4166.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is it important to know what a high potential is?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to have a clear answer to the question \u2018what is a high potential. This is partly because you can create better development paths yourself by understanding what a high potential is. In addition, it helps you build a plan with targeted steps toward leadership roles. This is especially nice if you have that ambition but don't know how to act on it. Teams with high potentials offer a great organizational advantage. Namely, they are more resilient and innovative. Thus, productivity is increased and other employees are inspired. It is valuable to recognize who the high potentials in a team are. This is because once their potential is recognized, it is easier to respond to it and continue to challenge them. That's how you keep them driven and enthusiastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, it is important to be mindful of their well-being in order to <a href=\"\/en\/burn-out-voorkomen\/\">prevent burnout<\/a><strong>.<\/strong> High potentials often take on a lot of responsibility and set the bar high, which makes them vulnerable to overload. By balancing their development with adequate support, moments of rest and realistic goals, they not only remain effective, but also mentally healthy and sustainably employable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you recognize if it is a high potential or not?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You would think that high potentials are always clearly recognizable, but sometimes they just don't stand out. Consider, for example, experts who work outside the spotlight, such as engineers or analysts who perform at top levels every day. Their potential lies in instructional leadership or innovative thinking. Or how about the \u2018rough diamonds? These are people who are not yet at the top, but have the potential to get there. These people are driven, but don't really stand out yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet it is also possible to mislabel someone as high potential or, on the contrary, to overlook someone who is. For example, you may confuse talent with performance. Not every top performer is automatically ready for leadership. In addition, education, network or a certain type of behavior may influence the assessment. Also, traditional high potentials tend to be homogeneous, so opportunities for others are lost. Also, be careful not to simply give someone too much responsibility without fine-tuning it. Before you know it, someone becomes overloaded and there is a risk that they will suffer burnout. One solution to this is to bring in <a href=\"\/en\/high-performance-coaching\/\">a high performance coach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hopefully you now have a clear answer to the question \u2018what is a high potential. This concept will help you further in your own growth or in guiding others! Are you curious about more concepts like this? Then also discover <a href=\"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wat-is-een-transformatie-coach\/\">what a transformation coach does<\/a>. However, always stay alert and make sure you stay close to yourself. Do you find this difficult? <a href=\"\/en\/piekeren-stoppen\/\">Then read our blog with tips to stop fretting<\/a>. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sommige mensen lijken sneller door te groeien dan anderen. Ze krijgen uitdagende taken toevertrouwd, vallen op in teams en lijken moeiteloos om te gaan met verandering. Wat maakt dat deze mensen meer kansen lijken te krijgen dan anderen? Deze mensen zijn de zogenaamde high potentials. Deze term klinkt interessant en misschien zelfs een tikje vaag. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":201,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"hf_cat_post":[],"class_list":["post-251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251"},{"taxonomy":"hf_cat_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogerrutten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hf_cat_post?post=251"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}