Development Levels

Assess competence and commitment

Management Productivity Development

Problem it solves

ineffective leadership

Best for

Managers and leaders who want to increase effectiveness

Not ideal for

Those who prefer a one-size-fits-all approach

Overview

Why this framework exists

The four development levels are enthusiastic beginner, disillusioned learner, capable but cautious performer, and self-reliant achiever. Each level requires a different leadership style, and assessing the development level is critical to effective leadership.

Core principles

3 total

Assess the competence and commitment of the individual or team
Use the four development levels to guide decision-making
Match the leadership style to the development level

Steps

3 steps

Assess competence
Evaluate the individual's or team's ability to perform the task
Pro tipUse objective criteria to assess competence
WarningAvoid making assumptions about competence based on limited information
Assess commitment
Evaluate the individual's or team's motivation and enthusiasm for the task
Pro tipUse feedback and observation to assess commitment
WarningAvoid making assumptions about commitment based on limited information
Determine the development level
Use the assessment of competence and commitment to determine the development level
Pro tipUse the four development levels to guide the determination
WarningAvoid being too rigid or inflexible in the determination

Checklist

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Assess competence
Assess commitment
Determine the development level

Examples

1 cases

The entrepreneur's summary

The entrepreneur summarized the relationships between the four development levels and the four leadership styles, demonstrating an understanding of the development levels

OutcomeThe entrepreneur was able to apply the principles of situational leadership to their own situation