The Power of Potential – How to Find Unicorns in a Sea of White Horses Wearing Birthday Hats

There is a lot of talk about recruiting and diversity and inclusion. D&I should be a fundamental part of any hiring process, not merely a worthy aspiration. But where does potential fit in? Potential, unlike gender or race, is not objectively quantifiable or easily characterized. Everyone knows what it is but, if asked to explain, it is unlikely that we would come up with the same definition. Most managers throw potential into the lingo of assessing candidates, but more often than not, it is an undervalued attribute. Managers are not willing to hang their hat on the opportunity it offers. Potential can be akin to playing the odds but can also result in the greatest wins.

Rule number one is that unicorns don’t always look like unicorns. To uncover potential, we need to look deeper. As a starting point, it’s imperative to be self-aware of our own inherent biases. In doing so, we can apply a more conscious effort and a willingness to seek out this magical trait through a hodgepodge of clues.

I recently helped a friend of mine with her resume. She is in her 50s and opted out of the workforce for about 15 years to raise her four children. She dutifully listed her current job experience pre and post-career break. But her resume didn’t reflect the traits I knew she possessed: responsible, reliable at meeting commitments, good judgment, a great collaborator with excellent people and management skills, someone who is a natural at relating to people of all ages. And someone with demonstrated learning agility and technical skills. Her resume didn’t reflect the fact that after over ten years of being out of the workforce, she garnered enough courage to go back and study for various certifications and had advanced quickly in her current workplace. All accomplished while raising four kids. It didn’t reflect her technical aptitude and abilities because she saw no point in listing experience with outdated technology. The technology yes, but what is proves, no. 

With a few key strokes, her resume was able to tell another story. It reflected a resilient, hard-working, loyal employee with so much to offer. The foundation was there, but it required a little digging; inferring what her story meant, and the skills and traits that she possessed. Someone with boundless potential if matched to the right role. And that is what we as managers should strive for. Experience and education are important, but so too is the journey. Take a minute to look beyond the scenes. Seek out the intangibles. Through the right lens, it is possible to uncover a person’s character and strengths.

There are also the unicorns that surround us each day: employees on our teams and others within the company. These individuals may be diamonds in the rough. With a little polish and care, they will shine. If we take the time to truly see people, we can spot their strengths and develop their talent.

Last but not least, don’t miss the quiet ones! In fact, most unicorns don’t flash their brilliant colors. There is an attorney I knew who had an impressive, analytical mind and innate talent. While remarkable in itself, he also checked many other boxes: stellar work-ethic, very likable and an excellent team player. Notwithstanding his brilliance, he was a very humble and unassuming person by nature; an unsung hero, not looking for prestige or recognition. Loyal to a fault, yet the company he worked for eventually lost him. Alas, the care and feeding of these unassuming unicorns should not be an afterthought. Developing talent is important, but so too is treating people fairly and rewarding hard work and talent. Because unicorns are unicorns, once found, be wary of burn out in the zeal to help them shine. Potential needs to be nurtured, but with a measured approach to growth consistent with that person’s goals and aspirations.

Potential is powerful, but not necessarily elusive. It is often right before our eyes if only we take the time to look. And unicorns only exist if we choose to believe in them.