Being in the People business for many years now, I can't help but observe human behaviours surrounding performance at work. While reflecting and preparing for the upcoming reviews for my teams, I took a deeper dive to analyse and put my observations into words. If you manage a team, looking for insights to be the master talent manager or aim to be the next Superstar - this read is for you!
Managing a team takes up a significant amount of our time. Keeping your best people around will ensure that the business runs well and smooth. Indeed, these High potential performers (or Hi-Pos as we call them in Human Resources) stand out due to their strong critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence and incredible grit.
Rock star candidates possess key traits making them instant high achievers, but managers must understand when they are likely to be successful in attracting and retaining these Superstars
But here’s the thing: How do we spot the Superstar in your team?
You can get a sense of your team just by observing how proficient your members are at their job and how they engage with stakeholders and the rest of the employees. Here are some quick reflection points that can help you assess your next Superstar:
TAKE THE LEAD
They lead projects and stakeholders from other departments they may dislike or face resistance. This gives them opportunities to present proposals that might not be easy to deliver. By taking the lead in new cross functional projects, it shows that the member is willing to take on uncertainties with the “can-do” spirit to get things done. Taking the lead also means holding direct accountabilities and creating ways to better manage projects. In some cases, projects require significant strategic thinking in a variety of areas to navigate through complex issues. Superstars who take the lead are often persistent and gritty, mentally well-trained for unknown territories.
CHALLENGE STATUS QUO
Superstars are creators of opportunities for improvements. They are open to new ways of doing things and always looking to identify processes that might not be working well for themselves or the team. They are key drivers for process changes, and always looking for opportunities to grow. Word of caution, though. Individuals who demonstrate this behaviour may create problems seeking for solutions, rather than finding solutions to existing challenges.
OFFER TO HELP
Superstars keep themselves engaged and constantly seek to make impact. It can be on projects they know not doing well, or voluntarily offering assistance to buddy or coach other members to ensure that the team function even better. Superstars who are willing to help are often selfless, forward thinking, and great problem solvers.
GET INVOLVED
Not involved in trade meetings? Ask for a seat. Insufficient business insights to succeed in your role? Ask to be involved in budgeting exercises and how they affect business decisions. Superstars wants to be involved in high level projects to understand big picture data points and strategies. They want to know the business positions and how their work impact other functions and the Organisation as a whole. These members may even voluntarily shadow someone from a totally different function just to understand how things are done and possibly be also able provide insights for solutions from a more diversified perspective. This trait comes with great business acumen over time.
STAY COMMITTED
Spotting a Superstar shouldn’t be just within the office. Out of work, they set goals for themselves even when not asked to. They create their own diet plans, consistently training for marathons, meditate to be in quality mental states… These are a few of the many ways individuals show they can stay committed to what they set to achieve. These people are tenacious and often very strong mentally in getting to where they want to be.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started
When your team lands a Superstar-in-the-making, it critical to have a well thought-out career plan that gives them the challenges and reasons to stick around if you want to help them unleash their full potential. This article aims to give you an idea to quickly recognise potential high performance attributes and help catch the Superstars around you.
For those who are looking to become a star at work, start by seizing some of the opportunities out there, get yourself uncomfortable to raise the standards that you will work and live by.
Share or comment below if you've observed the same or tried any of the above that works for you!