How to Be Seen as "High Potential"
Struggling with Career Derailers? - Final Part
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
For decades research has found that women are seen as “high performing” while men are seen as “high potential.” This gender dynamic contributes to many of us being mired in the middle.
We are rewarded for results already delivered (and revel in the praise), while our male counterparts are promoted on the promise of what they might achieve. The playing field isn’t level because decision-makers’ ideas about women, men, leadership and careers control it. But understanding this bias is the first step to dismantling its grip on your career.
When you understand this, you can stop playing defense and start playing to advance. Because outperforming your peers is not enough — and it never was. Moving up requires being seen as high potential. That is where Business Savvy comes in.
I’ve touted the importance of Business Savvy over the past 7 parts of this series. Here’s the final message for this series.
If you want to be seen as “high potential” you have to be seen as being Business Savvy.
How Business Savvy (or lack thereof) Shapes Your Image
Earlier in the series we defined Business Savvy
Business Savvy is the sweet spot in a Venn diagram where your business, financial and strategic acumen come together.
Your career will soar only if you develop all 3 skill sets.
Here’s why.
B + S
If you’re seen as having Business Acumen and Strategic Acumen without Financial Acumen, you’ll be considered an idea person without the financial chops to build a case for them. Maybe you’ll even be seen as “pie in the sky” because your ideas are unrealistic in the context of the business.
B + F
If you’re seen as having Business Acumen and Financial Acumen, you’ll likely have a reputation as a numbers person and someone without vision.
F + S
If you have Financial Acumen and Strategic Acumen, chances are you’ll be seen as visionary, but not equipped to execute. Any ideas you build a case for will be handed off to someone with the business acumen to execute.
But when you have Business Savvy (business, strategic and financial acumen), you’re likely to be seen as high potential.
I stress financial acumen because I too often encounter women who shy away from working on it because:
It’s just too darn hard.
I was never good at math
I never liked maths
I don’t think I have an aptitude
I’m a people person, not a numbers person
Do I really need it to be successful?
I am living proof that, while we may have these thoughts, these beliefs can be overcome. I’ve pushed beyond my own personal concerns and become “good enough” at analyzing financial reports and capable of creating content that makes financial acumen accessible. Oh, and, yes! You do need financial acumen to be successful in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Take Action
Earlier you identified where you think you need more work. Ask a different question here:
When you’re not in the room, what are others saying about your potential?
Idea person without financial chops.
Numbers person without vision.
Visionary not equipped to execute.
High Potential superstar with Business Savvy
If you are in #4, go ahead and Lead ON! If not in your own organization, then find the right place to shine. If you are not in #4, consider this…
My advice to Be Business Savvy has helped thousands of ambitious women just like you take their careers to the next level.
Women like you who’ve taken the Be Business Savvy Course have fully unlock the power of business savvy to:
Banish imposter syndrome for good
Earn well-deserved promotions and opportunities
Speak confidently in meetings and get heard
Earn sponsorship
Stand out from others around you
And give you a leg up on the 6 career enablers we’ve covered in this 8-part series.
I specifically designed Be Business Savvy for ambitious women who are ready to take charge of their careers. It’s not your typical boring business course - you’ll learn the key concepts in an easy sequence and be able to immediately apply what you learn.
And the best part? With the do-it-yourself format, you can complete the course as little as 2 - 6 weeks, with a manageable time commitment each week.
You might be wondering if Be Business Savvy is for you. If so, you’ll be interested In these success stories from past students.
Don’t those sound amazing?
It could be you gaining the skills and confidence to make such impacts!
And imagine where that could take YOU...
More confidently presenting your ideas to senior leadership
Managing a P&L
Leading a team
Landing your dream job or promotion
Advocating for yourself (self-promotion) with grace and ease
The possibilities are endless!
If you invest a reasonable amount time (and a small amount of money), what you get out will be extraordinary and last your whole career. It can make the difference between being seen as “high potential” instead of as only high performing. It might mean embarking on a new journey toward greater Business Savvy.
The difference between high performing and high potential often comes down to a single decision to invest in yourself. Be Business Savvy is ready when you are.
I’m Susan Colantuono, best known for my TED Talk, “The Career Advice You Probably Didn’t Get.”
I’ve devoted most of my working life to supporting the career advancement of women.
Now my work is exclusively focused on offering women tools for developing and demonstrating Business Savvy - the business, financial and strategic acumen we need to succeed and to close The Missing 33% of the career success equation for women.
That includes offering my groundbreaking course in a self-paced version (with coaching support) right here at Be Business Savvy. Check it out!
You will find additional useful and actionable content in my books and other online resources:
No Ceiling, No Walls ebook
No Ceiling, No Walls soft cover
Make the Most of Mentoring soft cover
Coaching Executive Women (occasional) newsletter
Lead ON!
Susan