The document discusses how early talent can adopt behaviors of "high-fliers" or high performers. It presents research identifying key behaviors of high performers, such as taking responsibility, understanding business priorities, adding value, and being self-directed learners. Three tools - learning experiments, performance appraisals, and professional success cards - are introduced to help develop these behaviors. Attendees then discussed in groups how the research and card pack could be used to increase high-flier behaviors among different talent populations like students, interns, and graduates. The goal is to give all early talent a shared understanding of what behaviors lead to success using a research-backed model and practical tools.

1. How Early Talent can adopt high-flier
behaviours fast!
We want you to start thinking about high flyers in your own workplace or university.
On 3 Post-It notes, write down an example in answer to the following:
1. Think of one of your high flyers, what behaviour first made them stand out from
their peers?
2. What behaviours made people stand out towards the end of their scheme?
3. Think of someone NOT regarded as a high flyer, what behaviours do they display
that you would prefer they didn’t?
• IMPORTANT – Mark each Post-It with the Question you’re answering eg Q1
• We are going to share this data – please be very clear with your examples – paint
a picture that will be helpful for others

2. How early talent can adopt high-flier behaviours fast!
Anne Hamill, Amanda Whiteford & Edward Walker
info@talentandpotential.com
talentandpotential.com

3. Who we are
• Our solutions are based on a combination of academic research
and data gathered directly from our clients
• We develop user-friendly, physical and digital tools
• We run conferences, workshops and 1-2-1 sessions to help you
develop self-directed learners
Anne Hamill Edward WalkerAmanda Whiteford

4. Overview of the session
• Inconsistent performance – a shared problem
• A research-based model of high performance
• Simple and practical tools that shape behaviour
• Your ideas for creating more high flyers in your
organisation

5. The big question
Why does
consistent
selection not
lead to
consistent
performance?

6. Life-long career journey
Us
Years
Primary school Secondary school University Graduate development Employment

7. Transition from education to work
A quantum shift in the environment

8. It’s a whole new ball game!
V
U
C
A

9. What does ‘good’ look like?
If it’s a new ball game –
what are the rules?
“You should be clearer
about the marking criteria"

10. Research into high-flier behaviours
High-fliers
Challenges in first
2 years – how did
they handle these?
281hours of research
6large organisations
Early managers
What made
them stand out
from peers?

11. High-Flier Behaviours
Delivery
Takes responsibility for delivering high quality work
Focused, achievement-oriented hard worker
Maintains focus on mundane work
Business Aware
Understands business imperatives
External perspective on the business
Well-informed about the big picture
Adds Business Value
Focused on impacting on bottom line
Constantly drives for improvement
Spots opportunities to add more value
Self-managing
Self-managing – organises self and manager
Resourceful; comes with solutions
Makes best use of manager’s time
Self-managing
Drives own career
Thinks long term about career direction
Identifies and uses mentors
Negotiates work/career opportunities
Self-directed learner
Listens, questions & observes well
Seeks feedback & drives development
Creates on-the-job learning opportunities
Initiates relationships
Actively initiates relationships across the business
Approaches people with confidence
Sociable, makes personal contact
Incisive communicator
Simplifies complex data
Puts across key points cogently
Effective influencer
Builds good relationships
Consistently positive and enthusiastic
Listens & adapts to different audiences
Offers practical support and help
Self-Directed
Skills
People
Skills
Adding
Business
Value
Business Contribution
What’s the impact of high flier behaviours on social mobility?

12. 3 tools to create more high-fliers
Learning Experiments
A one year set of
digital experiments to
acquire high-flier skillsPerformance appraisal
that targets high-flier skills
Professional Success Cards
Best strategies of
high-fliers
↑31.9% skills
↑16% challenge
14 à 2 rank

13. Professional Success Card Pack
The research & how to use the pack
Attending events (5)
First week (11)
Delivery & achievement (8)
Placements & job moves (6)
Working with manager (7)
Building Relationships (8)
Driving rapid learning (10)
55best strategies

14. Let’s regroup…
We’d like you to move into 3 groups now for some
creative thinking and discussion. Choose from the
following groups:
• Students & Interns
• Apprentices
• Graduates (UK & Global)

15. …and get creative!
Within your group discuss the following questions:
• How you could use the research results and card
pack to increase high-flier behaviours in your
particular group? What great ideas can you come up
with?
• How could you use the card pack to involve
managers and other stakeholders with a
consistent vision of ‘what success looks like’?

16. Let’s share our ideas

17. How others have used these
Preparing interns
Onboarding
Induction exercises
2-months in with managers
3-months in induction
Whole first year

18. To summarise
A shared vision,
based on research
Explicit behavioural model
Tools that help early talent
from all backgrounds
Managers use the behaviours
to give feedback
More
high-fliers!

19. Keen to continue the discussion?
info@talentandpotential.com
talentandpotential.com