To understand better the stages, imagine you recently joined an organization just a few weeks ago, and your job is to manage a small team. It is almost certain that you will have to go through the following stages:
1- Performing Tasks
As you are still new in this environment, your manager asks you to get familiar with your new job by carrying out some prescribed tasks. One of these tasks could be to look at the job descriptions of all staff that will report to you. A second task could be to hold a staff meeting with your supervisor present so that you become familiar with some of the current priorities of the team. A third task could be to go with a colleague to visit a client to introduce yourself.
Notice in this initial stage there is not much expectation of value other than doing what you are asked to and not making a fool of yourself. Notice also how your inner voice tells you to just listen and be nice and polite with everyone you are introduced to.
2- Becoming Functional
You have been performing tasks for a month and now the expectation of value changes. Carrying out tasks as asked is not enough any more. The change is subtle but it is there for all to see. You are now expected to be familiar with a set of routine tasks and for one or two functions – convening a weekly meeting on your own initiative for example and establishing some new team norms. You are still a bit unclear about some aspects of what you are supposed to do but the picture is becoming a bit clearer. You are asking some questions now because you feel qualified enough to ask these.
You start developing some likes and dislikes for various people in the organization based on what you think they think of you but be careful, this is still early days to make such conclusions. You don’t like the way some things are being handled but you decide to bide your time until you have more credibility. Staying in the office after 5 pm is becoming a pain because you are still not sure what you can achieve . You notice a few colleagues working late and feel uncomfortable about this. You decide that you will go home and seek refuge there till tomorrow morning.
3- Becoming Responsible
Three months have passed and now you notice your supervisor asks you “how’s the team doing” and then moves on quickly without waiting for all the details you wish to talk about with him. The expectation now is that you are responsible for a piece of the organization – your team – and you better handle all aspects of managing this team. People are busy and they have no time to counsel you on minor issues. You are now responsible for your team.
You experience some tension and feel somewhat alone. Much of this is outside your comfort zone but don’t worry, this part is the most vital in your development within the organization. It is also the time where an organization starts to form an opinion about your net worth and your capabilities. You must not falter here.
You experience some small successes and you gain confidence. Some days are pure exhilaration as you sense yourself becoming credible and accepted within the organization. You know the rules now and you are beginning to cruise. You notice you are beginning to stay a bit later in the office just trying to clean up some outstanding work and feel good about being back in action the next day.
You think you are now an incredibly valuable asset and this outfit should thank its lucky stars it has someone like you. Don’t delude yourself. This is just the beginning.
4- Impacting on Results
This is where you come into your own league. It;s been a year and you are starting to get some results. Financial numbers in the team improve, your team is beginning to like you, clients are satisfied and you are ahead of budget and tracking all of this. You have developed your own system and style of task management, people management and information management.
You are starting to look at innovations in processes and systems. People are depending on you for advice and guidance. Even your boss starts to ask for your opinion on important issues. Not everyone gets here so if you are at this stage, congratulations. You are becoming a star.
5- Enhancing the Image of the Organization
You become synonymous with the image of the organization. People talk about you when they talk about the organization. You are increasingly out there representing your outfit and have become a fundamental part of it. You are now one of its most valuable assets.
Know where you are within these 5 stages and plot your road map accordingly.