What is leadership? What does it mean to be an effective leader? How do organizations develop those among their ranks to become effective leaders?

According to Jean Martin, Managing Director of the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), many organizations are unable properly to identify “high-potential” employees (those capable of becoming effective organizational leaders) among their ranks. Moreover, among those organizations that prioritize leadership development, most rely on false predictors of future success.

For example, one commonly used predictor of success is current performance. However, new data show that current performance is a poor indicator of performance at higher levels of the organization. According to a recent study conducted by CEB, 71% of high performers are not “high-potentials” due to inadequate ability, weak engagement, or insufficient aspiration.

For more information, please visit the Corporate Executive Board and CEB’s Corporate Leadership Council online.