Career Development and Succession
9
Boxes
3×3 grid
2
Axes
Performance and Potential
3
Outcomes
Develop, Promote, Manage Out
three by three, every employee somewhere
The 9-Box Grid
Performance across the bottom. Potential up the side. Each cell maps to a development action.
Potential →
P1 · Pt3
Diamond
Coach intensively
P2 · Pt3
Future Star
Stretch + mentor
P3 · Pt3
Star
Fast-track promote
P1 · Pt2
Inconsistent
Coach + clarify
P2 · Pt2
Core
Develop in role
P3 · Pt2
High Pro
Stretch lateral
P1 · Pt1
Underperformer
PIP or exit
P2 · Pt1
Effective
Retain in role
P3 · Pt1
Solid Pro
Reward + retain
Low
Solid
High
Performance →
Two Distinctions the Exam Tests
Mentor vs Coach
mentor
More senior. Long-term. Broad career development. Often informal.
coach
Specialized. Short-term. Skill-focused. Typically structured.
Succession vs Replacement
succession
Develops a pool over years. Multiple candidates at multiple stages.
replacement
Names a single backup if the incumbent leaves tomorrow. Tactical.
Exam Traps
Performance and Potential are different
A high performer in current role may not have runway for the next level. The 9-box rates both — high in one does not mean high in the other.
Mentor vs Coach is tested
Mentor is senior, longer-term, broad development. Coach is specialized, shorter-term, skill-focused. Candidates conflate them.
Succession ≠ Replacement
Succession develops a pool over time. Replacement names a single backup if the incumbent leaves tomorrow. Different scopes.
IDPs are individual, not org-wide
An Individual Development Plan tracks ONE employee toward target roles. The exam tests the individual focus.
Two axes, not one
Performance is what they delivered. Potential is whether they can play at the next level. Plot both.
Replacement = next play
If the question asks about a single backup for the CEO, it is replacement. Succession is the multi-year pipeline.
Stats from the games already played. How well the player delivered.
Whether they can play at the higher league. Different question, different evidence.
Stars top-right (high both). Workhorses high performance, low potential. Prospects low performance, high potential.
If the starting QB gets injured tomorrow, who comes in? One name on the list.
Three QBs at different stages of development. Pipeline, not point.
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