DW in the first Your Growth Powers our Future” video: “I am very fortunate to have the career that I had with the company. I think early on, I was lucky in that senior managers took an interest in me and made sure and made sure that I got some of these experiences. “ (referring to a diverse set of roles across the org).
So admitting his career was built on luck and being deemed a hipo by senior management early on. If you’re lucky enough to be a chosen one early on, you’ve got it made. Perhaps you started with the right manager over you that was also a high flyer. Or you made a connection with someone by happenstance and they took a liking to you. Guess that’s life.
13 replies (most recent on top)
@2zk who dat?
@a6 tell that to Dan Salmon 😂
Pioneer people will never be HiPos. How many XTO or Denbury hipos can you name? Exxon only puts new hires straight from university up for consideration as hipos.
@fx correct. Experienced hires aren’t considered. Your rank result is meaningless as well. Being ranked high is not the same as being a hipo.
DW was not an ordinary campus hire! He was hired with a small group of MBAs into Exxon International (no longer exists) specifically to develop one of them to be the next CEO. This idea that the senior execs took notice of him is complete bs. Upon hire, he was sent immediately on expat assignment at Fawley in a leadership position, and then Singapore. Has been fast cycles through carefully selected short leadership positions until he got the top job.
Don’t believe the humble origin story and certainly don’t be a naive ordinary hire waiting around to have your hard work noticed.
@a6 are the experienced hires never considered for hipo meaning they cannot be either when they join or even after 2-3 years? What’s the sign of the hipo, sponsors or the ratings?
This happens at literally every large company. Not saying I like it, but it happens everywhere.
@av and length
Height is far more important than a sponsor.
@a8 good observation!
He is also fortunate that he is tall. That helps a lot
Must be nice. I have seen this happen. Sponsors they call them. Hipos all have them. They plan out their career moves and meet with them frequently. Even influence moves of others to support them and make sure they succeed. Basically over staff the team around them with experienced people to ensure they don’t fail and make sure they are in roles where they will rank well. Move them over en so that they are always given the benefit of the doubt for being in a new role and still learning then move them before any of their decisions can come back to bite them. It is a corrupt and rigged system.
Yes and experienced hires are never considered for hipo ultimate potential.