“Terry Harmon Caring Funeral,” “Donald Johnson NASDAQ,” and “Michael Kail Netflix.”

Search for “Terry Harmon Caring Funeral,” “Donald Johnson NASDAQ,” and “Michael Kail Netflix.” Answer these questions: a) Did their employers think that they were high-potential employees? b) Were they high-performing executives? c) What do the stories of these three individuals tell you about the importance of correctly identifying high-potential employees? Explain each answer with 1-2 sentences.

Consider the following three statements: “I enjoy traveling to foreign countries,” “I had a 4.0 GPA in college,” and “I try to become friends with all of my co-workers.” Explain how each of the three statements could be viewed either as a sign that the person is a HiPo or as a sign that the person is not a HiPo. (For example, “I was President of my fraternity in college” could be viewed as a sign that the person is a HiPo because it shows leadership, or it could be viewed as a sign that a person is not a HiPo because of the stereotype that members of college fraternities drink too much alcohol.) Then, in 1-2 sentences, explain what your answers tell you about the unreliability of intuition as a method of selecting HiPos.

Jamie and Kelly are managers of Wal-Mart stores in two different cities. Sales in Jamie’s store increased by 5% last year while sales in Kelly’s store decreased by 5% last year. Answer these questions in 1-2 sentences each: a) What type of measure of current job performance is being used? b) Can you tell which manager has more potential? (Hints: The correct answer to the first question starts with the letter q. The correct answer to the second question is either yes or no but not both.)

Full Answer Section

       
  • Michael Kail (Netflix):

    • a) It is highly likely that his employer considered him a high-potential employee.
    • b) He was a high-performing executive. He played a crucial role in building Netflix's global streaming infrastructure.
  • These stories highlight the importance of accurate assessment beyond surface-level observations. Identifying high-potential employees requires a comprehensive evaluation of their skills, behaviors, and potential for growth, not just based on immediate performance or superficial traits.

  • "I enjoy traveling to foreign countries"

    • HiPo: Indicates a global mindset and a willingness to learn about different cultures, which could be valuable in international business roles.
    • Not HiPo: May suggest a preference for leisure over work or a lack of commitment to domestic responsibilities.
  • "I had a 4.0 GPA in college"

    • HiPo: Demonstrates strong academic achievement and intellectual ability, which can be valuable in many roles.
    • Not HiPo: May indicate an overemphasis on grades and a lack of focus on practical skills or real-world experience.
  • "I try to become friends with all of my co-workers"

    • HiPo: Suggests strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships, which are crucial for teamwork and leadership.
    • Not HiPo: May indicate a lack of focus on work or a tendency to prioritize social interactions over work responsibilities.

These examples demonstrate how subjective interpretations can lead to inaccurate assessments of high-potential. Relying solely on superficial observations or making assumptions based on limited information can lead to overlooking valuable talent or misidentifying individuals with high potential.

  • a) What type of measure of current job performance is being used?

    • Quantitative measure.
  • b) Can you tell which manager has more potential?

    • No. Sales performance is only one aspect of a manager's overall performance and potential. Other factors, such as leadership skills, employee development, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency, should also be considered.
 

Sample Answer

     
  • Terry Harmon:

    • a) It is unlikely that his employer considered him a high-potential employee.
    • b) He was not a high-performing executive. He embezzled funds from the company, demonstrating a significant breach of trust and a lack of ethical behavior.
  • Donald Johnson (NASDAQ):

    • a) It is highly likely that his employer considered him a high-potential employee.
    • b) He was a high-performing executive. He served as CEO of Nasdaq for many years and is credited with transforming the company.