Cold, hard facts about potential at work: what I learned from stamping on an icy puddle
Part two of my planned twelve-part series on 'unexpected business lessons learned from experiences in wet and muddy environments' (see Part one here) comes from a winter stroll where I spotted an icy puddle and decided to mindlessly stamp on it, like the reprobate I am.
Once I had, however, I marvelled at the hidden, intricate patterns underneath the surface.
This immediately, and without hesitation, led me to think of how this closely resembles uncovering people's potential at work.
Potential may not immediately be visible. But with a little focused effort - even when you are unsure what lies beneath, you can uncover something quite beautiful that you never knew existed before.
Pick it up and examine potential: bring it into the sunlight rather than keeping it hidden: unappreciated and unused.
You can even discover it by happy circumstance, as I did with this puddle. But when you do, be watchful for these opportunities so you can capitalise accordingly.
As business psychologists we do this all the time: using personality questionnaires and development centres to make us more aware of people's hidden potential and bring it into the open.
However... that potential is fragile.
'Stamp on it' via harsh feedback and it can shatter. Leave it untended and it can melt away over time. Add a flavoured syrup and it becomes a slush puppy - I recommend blue raspberry. That last one has nothing to do with human potential, btw.
So, let's 'shatter' the phenomena of unused potential in the workplace! Keep an eye out for part three in the series, coming soon (or not...!) - any suggestions for tenuous links much appreciated! :D
Business Psychologist 🌿 Assessment for Hiring and Development 🌿 Psychometrics 🌿 Leadership and Career 🌿 Saville, Hogan, Herrmann Brain (HBDI), Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey (GLWS), StrengthsProfile and others
6moI love this! What a great analogy. Looking forward to the next one
Expert in people assessment for recruitment and development. Psychometrics I Assessment Centres I Skills I Training
6moJust for you Robin B. as I know you're a fan...