Samantha was a senior accountant at a growing engineering firm — reliable, detail-oriented, and consistent in her work. Her supervisors valued her accuracy and discipline, but she wasn’t seen as someone destined for leadership. That changed when the firm introduced a leadership potential assessment to identify future leaders across departments.
The results were eye-opening. Samantha’s assessment revealed strong learning agility, critical thinking, and composure under pressure — traits essential for strategic leadership. More than that, she showed enthusiasm for broader business challenges and a knack for collaborative problem-solving. These insights shifted how the company viewed her role, leading to her promotion into a financial operations leadership role, where she now plays a key role in cross-functional decision-making.
Samantha’s story reminds us that leadership talent doesn’t always look as expected and that high performance doesn’t always equal high potential. Companies need reliable tools to uncover those with the capacity and desire to lead in the future. That’s where CBIZ Talent Solutions comes in.
Going Beyond Job Titles: Why Leadership Potential Matters
Leadership potential assessments reveal what resumes and reviews miss — core traits such as:
- Strategic thinking and decision-making under uncertainty
- Learning agility & adaptability
- Initiative & drive
- Collaboration & influence
- Emotional resilience
“These assessments reveal what people are capable of, not just what they’ve done,” said Leslie Shaw, senior consultant at CBIZ Talent Solutions. “They help organizations discover unexpected talent that might otherwise be overlooked.”
A Smarter, Scalable Approach to Talent Decisions
Psychometric assessments, 360-degree feedback, business simulations, and behavioral interviews deliver a full picture of leadership readiness. High-tech tools allow organizations to scale their assessment efforts, while high-touch methods bring depth and nuance to individual evaluations.
Simulations, for example, mimic real-world leadership scenarios to observe how someone like Samantha might respond under stress, make decisions, and collaborate in unfamiliar situations.
From Assessment to Action
Identifying high-potential employees is just the first step. CBIZ helps organizations turn insights into tailored development plans, including coaching, leadership programs, and ongoing feedback systems.
Equally important is creating an environment where emerging leaders feel safe to take risks, speak up, and lead in new ways. “Assessment is the catalyst,” Shaw says. “But it’s what you do with that insight that creates real business value.”
Spotting Gaps & Planning for the Future
Beyond the individual level, leadership potential assessments also highlight gaps in organizational leadership readiness. Are you growing the right talent internally? Do you have the bench strength to meet tomorrow’s challenges?
Right Role, Right Person
Leadership potential assessments also help avoid costly missteps, such as promoting high performers into leadership roles they don’t want or aren’t suited for. “Not everyone wants to lead, and that’s okay,” Shaw notes. “The key is making sure you’re investing in people who have the capacity and the interest to lead. That’s where true alignment happens.”
Prepare for What’s Next with CBIZ Talent Solutions
In a rapidly changing business environment, organizations can’t afford to guess when it comes to leadership. CBIZ Talent Solutions helps companies like yours take a strategic, data-informed approach to identifying next-generation leaders.
Whether you’re a growing engineering firm or a complex enterprise, we help you understand your talent and build the leadership capacity you’ll need for the future.
Ready to uncover the leaders hiding in plain sight?
Partner with CBIZ Talent Solutions to unlock your next generation of leaders.
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