The Disillusioned Learner - D2

 

D2 -The Disillusioned Learner

Continuing forward in the Skill Will Matrix, we'll move to the "Disillusioned Learner" today.

We spoke about the "Enthusiastic Beginner" in the last article. This was an employee at D1 - High Will Low Skill.

This phase lasts for a couple of months where he stays self-motivated and tries to learn skills he needs to, in order to do his role. However, if the right kinds of Leadership behaviors are not administered to him he is going to be negatively affected.

The ideal confluence of behaviors for an Enthusiastic Beginner is High Directive Low Supportive. But generally leaders tend to err in exhibiting the right kind of behaviors.

The designated managers do not focus too much on this employee and leave him to his own journey, choosing to focus on the performers in the team. 

So if you plot this employee on the matrix... this is where he would be.

His Skill levels are still low; however his Will levels have also deteriorated due to the lack of clarity and direction on the part of the Manager.

If the manager is a “Leader” with a firm understanding of “Situational Leadership” the employee would never have reached D2. However, a lot of times you might “inherit” teams with existing D2 employees present within. And it is your responsibility as their current Leader to work on them.

Again based on the levels at which he is in the two parameters, let us understand what confluence of Leadership he requires.

Since he is low on both parameters, he would require both High Directive & High Supportive Behaviors. i.e. Task oriented & Relationship oriented.

So you would continue to provide him with clear instructions on his tasks and roles and Monitoring & Feedback.

You would also need to ensure that you build a strong support system around him. 

Show that you care! Show that he is valued and an important part of the team. A good way of doing that is also involving other team members in enriching his experience.

This will also aid in enriching the other team members’ experience. We will talk about this more in detail as we move forward.

So the ideal confluence of behaviors for a Disillusioned Learner is –

High Directive High Supportive

This is also known as the “Coaching” style of leadership and should be maintained to improve his skill and will levels to attempt to gradually move him into D4 or Peak Performer.

The Danger here is that most employees at D2 level are unfortunately asked to move out of the organization (SACKED) or move away themselves. 

The loss to the existing Leader is the potential that goes away with them.

Penning down. Will be back soon with the “Reluctant Contributor”

CIAO!