Potential vs. Performance — What's the Difference?

Unrealized ability waiting for development.

Execution of tasks or activities.

Future-oriented evaluation of capability.

Direct evidence of competence.

Latent talents awaiting opportunity.

Measurable outcomes from actions taken.

Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple release of energy by objects to the realization of abilities in people.

Basis for evaluation and feedback.

Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped

A performance is an act of staging or presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment. It is also defined as the action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

The act of performing or the state of being performed.

The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success

The act or style of performing a work or role before an audience.

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions

The way in which someone or something functions

See electric potential.

A presentation, especially a theatrical one, before an audience.

See gravitational potential.

Something performed; an accomplishment.

See magnetic potential.

(Linguistics) One's actual use of language in actual situations.

(Grammar) A potential verb form.

The act of performing; carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action.

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; especially, an action of an elaborate or public character.

(physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.

(arts) A live show or concert.

(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.

The amount of useful work accomplished estimated in terms of time needed, resources used, etc.

(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

(linguistics) The actual use of language in concrete situations by native speakers of a language, as opposed to the system of linguistic knowledge they possess (competence), cf. linguistic performance.

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.

(archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result

That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character.

(physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.

A dramatic or musical entertainment;

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

The act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it;

(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

The act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment;

Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.

Process or manner of functioning or operating;

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Any recognized accomplishment;

Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.

Current level of proficiency or skill.

In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; - also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

The inherent capacity for coming into being

The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts

Existing in possibility;

Expected to become or be; in prospect;

Capacity for growth or improvement.

A prediction based on current qualities.

Potential is crucial for identifying employees who could take on more complex roles or leadership positions in the future.

While potential can indicate future performance, it does not guarantee it without the right conditions and efforts.

Improving performance often involves specific feedback, practice, and adapting to feedback.

Potential refers to future capabilities, while performance is about current achievements.

High potential does not always result in high performance; factors like motivation and opportunity play significant roles.

Employers often assess potential through interviews, assessments, and observing problem-solving skills.

Factors like training, immediate feedback, and working conditions directly impact performance.

Sometimes, performance under restrictive conditions might not truly reflect an individual’s potential.

Yes, performance is generally observable through the completion of tasks and their outcomes.

They often look at a combination of academic results, extracurricular involvement, and personal statements.

Companies focusing on long-term growth may prefer potential to ensure employees grow with the company.