It’s not the job that you do but the way that you do it
Purpose – Advances the view that employee potential needs to be assessed based on capability to handle the breadth and complexity of a given role, for which past performance may not serve as a good indicator. Design/methodology/approach – Proposes a role-based perspective for evaluating performance and identifying employee potential. Findings – Details practical ways of implementing a role-based approach and identifies how to overcome obstacles. Practical implications – Explains why promotion needs to be based on a person’s adaptability and potential to deal with complexity rather than his or her ability to do more of the same. Social implications – Reveals how organizations can be made more effective by promoting the right people. Originality/value – Concentrates on the importance of employee potential in selecting the right people for promotion.