Nelson, the HR Director of a large organization, is concerned about the lack of a deep internal pool of talent for middle and upper management jobs. He feels there may be employees with high management potential in lower level jobs who have not been identified and selected for development.

Which of the following steps should Nelson take in order to most accurately identify the employees with high potential?

A) Ask managers to nominate their subordinates who have the most management potential. B) Review the performance appraisals for employees in the upper management. C) Ask all the employees in the middle management to take extensive psychological tests. D) Establish an assessment center which allows employees to nominate themselves.

Answer: D - Establish an assessment center which allows employees to nominate themselves.

Explanation:

Nelson could establish the assessment center and then the employees could nominate themselves. Many times, employees may be looked over for promotions because they are low on the ladder. The HR director is not going to go back and read old applications and read up on their job experience. This would take to much time.

Many people start at the bottom of a company and climb their way up the ladder. They have to be recognized for that achievement and many may be looked over because they are not friends with the "right" people. By having an assessment center and letting the employees nominate themselves the company can promote within themselves.