You can't be what you can't see. Is it possible your team has blinders on?
Potential. It's such an interesting word. By definition, it means the "latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and leads to future success or usefulness." What's tricky with potential is that it's the eye of the beholder. We see potential easily in others when we recognize it from our experience. We are also blind to potential if we've not seen it before.
It's why creating future paths alone is such a terrible idea.
Potential creation should be a team sport. Why? Because the more perspectives you have, the more paths you have to choose.
I hear you saying, "But if I give my team options, won't they just leave?" It's possible, but let me ask you this. Go back to when you didn't know what you wanted to do next. Or when you didn't have any options ahead. What engagement score would you give yourself? Were you as creative, curious, or collaborative as you are now? Probably not.
No potential = bored, scared, or stuck.
Potential = curious, creative, collaborative
Which list would you choose?
More Paths = More Options
How to EXPERIMENT with this idea.
Disclaimer: You know your team better than I do. If the idea of getting in a room and sharing with each other makes them want to run for the hills, remember this exercise can also be done online with a shared document. Not sure how they’ll react? Ask them how they’d like to bring this exercise to life. You might be surprised by the results. I will assume this is an in-person event for this experiment.
Bring your team together and get them to tell stories to each other. You need an even number of participants. Tools needed - Room big enough for two sets of chairs set in circles—one inside the other with an equal number of chairs in each circle. Notepads for all and something to write with.
Have everyone choose a chair. The inner or outer circle does not matter.
In 90 seconds, have the person in the inner chair answer one of the following questions. Note: For each round, YOU should choose the question.
What have you accomplished before you came to this team that you're particularly proud of?
Who have you learned the most in your career?
What skill do you have you consider more of a hobby?
What have you always wished you could learn?
As the person in the outer chair listens, in the "inner chair's notebook," they should write down every opportunity for potential that comes to mind.
Reverse roles - Outer chair is the storyteller with the same question and exercise.
The inner chair participants move one (if you have a large group, I recommend having them move 3-4 chairs) to the right.
Repeat until you've run out of questions.
At the end of the exercise, each person should have a veritable buffet of potential future paths to consider. The bonus, your team just got to know each other in a future-focused way. Will they all opt into each other's Future now?
Potential - it's the magic ingredient in teamwork.
AMPLIFY this idea with your team.
There are two unique ways you can Amplify this idea.
Invite other people to your event to add diversity of thinking to this group; it’s a great opportunity. Invitees could include your HR Business partner, your boss, your mentor, anyone you consider an advisor or another executive who’s offered their time to “help however you need it.” This is a “more the merrier” type of event.
Implement potential reviews. What better way of exploring everyone’s future.
INVEST in a discovery experience.
Click below to request information about implementing Potential Reviews for your team.