I have just finished reading Self Leadership and The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard. The book shared some pointers about personal development that I want to share with you. Those are the three tricks of self-leadership and the four stages of leadership development.
Ken Blanchard has a very interesting diagram of the 4 stages in personal growth. I’m currently asking his permission to put the diagram in this blog. The model gives us a hint on what kind of leadership and help we need on the different stages in personal development. The help can be summarized into 2 types, direction (to help you become competent) and support (to raise your commitment).
At the first stage, we always have what is called the Enthusiastic Beginner. We usually start with low competency, but with high commitment. We are ready to learn, and we are feeling ready to face whatever challenges may come. Here is the place where we need to have direction, clear goal and action plans, establishing priorities to improve our competence.
The realization brings us to the second stage, the Disillusioned Learner, the place where we realize that things are not as easy as we thought. It’s the place of low competency and low commitment. This may relate with The Dip that Seth Godin may talk about (review). This is the place where many of us given with the choice whether to stay or to quit. And here is the place where you will need both high level of direction and support to survive.
If we choose to stay, we will progressively reach the third stage, the Capable but Cautious Performer. As we grow our competence, we may have a variable level of commitment. It’s kind of we are hesitating to put our knowledge to practice anymore. It might be the result of feeling not enough, fear of failure, or even fear of success. And here is the place where we need high level of support.
And finally we will reach the High Achiever stage, the place we’re all dreaming of, the place of high competence and high commitment. Now, we are ready to tackle the world. This is the place where we won’t need much direction and support. The place where what is expected of us is to transfer the knowledge to other people.
Where am I?
The Leader
The past few months is quite tough for me. I went through demotion at work and stripped of the leadership responsibility I have taken last year. I started similar like many other beginners, enthusiast to lead and innovate, but at the end finding out that the competency is not there yet. In leadership, I can say I am now at stage 2, disillusioned learner stage. I am realizing that leadership is indeed not an easy position, and I have to grow and learn much more to become a better leader.
The Blogger
Blogging, another area I have. I will say I have a moderate experience after writing for 1 year, but now, my commitment in blogging is not so high. I can say I am at stage 3 on my blogging. I am more cautious in spending too much time in blogging and writing. There are indeed a number of questions I have about blogging, its benefit and practicality in my life right now. And I am really grateful for the support of people that is still actively reading and commenting at my blog, some that I can mention are Arswino, Evan, Nicole, Corinne, Cynthia Springer, and Nick. Your presence really boosts my motivation, guys! And for that, a really big thank you!
The Engineer
One of the facts that I realize from the demotion at work is how important for me to improve my competency in technical and software engineering skill. IT is an area that is growing very fast, its technology is changing rapidly, so I have a lot of things to catch up. I am back at the first stage of learning IT right now. You can say that it’s the priority I have right now, I’m spending quite an amount of my time in catching up with many technologies in IT development. I’m taking few courses from www.javapassion.com, and also planning to complete some certification on software architecture.
The Human
I am tempted to say that I’m in the stage 4 here, especially if I relate it with the less desire I have for guidance and support right now. I used to expect much attention and guidance from my small group leader at church, but recently I came to realize that eventually it must come down to our own conviction. Even more when I am considering if I am at the position of that leader, it’s not easy to make a decision for other people. Eventually it must come down to each person’s responsibility, finding their own conviction and act on that. I’m growing in this area, but nevertheless, I can’t boast to say I am there at stage 4 yet, I am happy with where I am right now, but I believe that I still have much more to learn from this curriculum of life.
Leaders needed!
Yes, in our life we all need a leader. Looking at the 4 stages I shared above, you will see how much leadership is needed especially if you are not in the stage 4 yet.
One question that raised up in my mind as I’m reading the book, “What if I can’t find the leader I need to guide and support me?”
The book is titled with “self-leadership”, so it must have dealt with something we can always do without any excuse. That’s what Ken shared as the 3 tricks of self-leadership.
One interesting point is a point in the three tricks that Ken Blanchard shared on self-leadership. It’s called “Celebrate your points of power.”
It talked about how important it is for us to see the strengths and resources we had, which Ken calls it as the point of power. It can range from the position we have, people we know, knowledge we have, to the menial task we do. Yes, it is tempting to request other people to teach us. But it’s a different perspective when we see that the responsibility is actually in our own hand. You can do something with your points of power; and it is called “Celebrating your points of power!”
Sy Rogers, a life that I shared in the article Curriculum of Life, shared how important it is the role of the leaders in the church to his recovery. They showed him that people care and it’s not about what he can give sexually in return. The love, support and guidance has brought him to the next level.
Nevertheless, it’s not the only side of the story, he also emphasized on how he actually started serving with whatever small he has. He took up some ministries, doing whatever little he could do. And I believe that it’s an important point on the road of recovery.
Even Jesus didn’t do his miracle of feeding 5000 people with nothing. Someone brought him a little that they have, 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and they eventually fed many. So again, it’s an important point to see, to celebrate your points of power and give out the best from there.
The other trick for self-leadership that Ken shared are “challenging assumed constraints” and “collaborate for success“. They are equally important, and you can find out more about it from the book.
Your turn: How about you? Where are you right now in the 4 stages? What are your points of power? And what can you do now to grow in the area you’re lacking of? The control is in your hand. I hope that you’re convicted in a way, and you are willing to take the necessary actions to grow.
For your success,
Robert
Hello and welcome! I am Robert, sharing with you articles in personal management and personal development. Check out the 
19 Comments
Mary /GoodlifeZEN.com
on 23rd Mar, 09 09:03am
This is a lovely post! There is so much written about leading other people and we forget that we must first be able to lead ourselves wisely!
I’m stumbled the post
cheers
Mary
Robert A.
on 23rd Mar, 09 09:03am
Thanks Mary, really grateful for that. Ken called it the magic of no excuse, how we are willing to lead ourselves despite of what we face.
All the best,
Robert
Nick Grimshawe
on 23rd Mar, 09 12:03pm
Hi Robert,
A very interesting article…again. I had a thought as I read through the article as we arrive at stage four, High Achiever, I think we go through a transformation. The stage isn’t permanent. After the transformation to a higher level of competence we find ourselves back at the first stage.
I can’t say I’ve reached stage 4 in anything. As a blogger I would say I am close to stage four but I am still a little too cautious. Personally I am at stage three as well. Professionally at work I feel I am back at stage one.
Thanks for the thoughtful articles.
I don’t know about you Robert but blogging is part of my growth cycle. I learn so much from working on my blog and my newsletter, that I know I would not be at this stage of development without them.
Please keep blogging.
I learn from you everything I show up here.
Nick
Evan
on 23rd Mar, 09 05:03pm
Hi Robert,
It sounds like you are in a pretty difficult place at the moment. The demotion I would find especially hard.
Where am I in the four stages. In blogging somewhere around disillusioned and cautious and capable (not sure which yet – I’m launching my own product soon, so time will tell).
Counselling is the only thing where I feel I am a high achiever.
At work very much the disillusioned learner.
As to being human – my relationships and so forth, probably cautious but capable (most of the time).
My points of power. Respected by a few friends and my blog is apparently well regarded by a few people too (judging by the comments).
Robert A.
on 24th Mar, 09 04:03pm
Nick and Evan, thanks for sharing the stages you’re in.
Nick, I agree with what you say, life is a school, so even when we achieve a level 4 in one area, we will be faced with the next lesson, and in that area we may need to start from first level again. Thanks again for the encouragement you’ve been given in my blogging journey. That really makes me smile! =)
Yes Evan, the demotion is tough. Very humbling for me, I thought my career will always on the way up, but unfortunately it’s not the case. I guess it’s part of the curriculum in my life. I got to learn, or otherwise, I will be making the same mistake again.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You’ve blessed me in a way!
Cheers,
Robert
Nicole Price
on 24th Mar, 09 09:03pm
When I evaluate myself, I would in all honesty say that I am at the third stage of capable but cautious achiever. I am however quite happy with that position. At the end of the day, if happiness is our goal, why should high achievement be the only one to give that? I know some senior citizens who are retired from service, who are perfectly happy with their lives now, having lived, what the modern world would call mediocre lives. They are content, at peace with themselves and extremely family and community oriented.
I for one am not willing to fall for all these self development programs which only make money for the authors and seminar speakers. I believe that I have to find my way.
Robert A.
on 26th Mar, 09 08:03pm
Nicole, interesting comments. I believe it’s a journey… we are growing, but we are happy in the journey… that’s of course is the best, happiness in success journey.
Thanks,
Robert
cathy
on 28th Mar, 09 05:03pm
It’s a really very well explained; logical explanation model! Of course; one must realize that it’s the journey that matters and certainly not the result. I mean the better the thought process; automatically results tend to be positive!
aquabot
on 16th Apr, 09 12:04am
Excellent write-up really. Yes I too am impressed by this model. Leadership after all is a quality that very few people are able to instill in themselves!
Robert A.
on 24th Apr, 09 01:04am
Thank you aquabot!.. this is indeed something I also learn. It’s like a map, we need to know where we are, so we can know where we can go!
Title Insurance Tampa
on 1st May, 09 06:05pm
Self Leader is Best, Motivation given by our own Soul is best, always people looking for leader but they don’t want to be a leader, don’t want to take responsibilities. You given great post Heads Off…
Robert A.
on 2nd May, 09 07:05pm
Hi Veronica, thanks… I really appreciate your comments. Responsibility can always start with us… when we search points of powers we are given with, then we realize how many things we can do with them.
Thanks for the appreciation… God bless you too!
Robert
game-girl
on 10th May, 09 05:05pm
I absolutely agree with the idea that self leader is inside the individual.Only he himself knows his way,and this knowledge is in the stores of the soul.It is revealed when the individual seeks for it.
Robert A.
on 12th May, 09 11:05pm
Game-girl, like your statement of soul-searching… We can seek inside us, check inside us, but with what we found, we should not be petrified by them. I went into personal development program that taught me more about myself, and it depressed me. It seems to be more and more things harder to accept. In that condition we can choose, either to be stubborn and ignore, or slow down and plan your next best move. Self leadership is also about growing, and it’s not always of the destination, but the journey as well.
Mold Removal Tampa
on 3rd Jun, 09 09:06pm
Be the teacher of your own self believing in to be own leader very true and tremendous post some one try to inspire you and you get inspire not possible to reach at success to get higher success need burning desire in soul than and than you can get desired success.
Robert A.
on 8th Jun, 09 09:06am
Hello, I think it’s not your first time commenting at my site, am I right? Can I know your name?
Thanks for the comment,
Robert
Mold Removal Tampa
on 9th Jun, 09 12:06pm
Yes robert you are right i often visits your site, but m really surprised how come that m not first time visitors at your site. really like your way to communicate with reader like us that you not forgets your readers. really happy you remembers your readers.
Robert A.
on 9th Jun, 09 10:06pm
Thanks a lot, writer can’t be prouder when a person is reading their writing and inspired by them. Connecting is just a way to thank you… =)
Robert
bardy
on 12th Jun, 09 09:06pm
I am very musch impressed robert. This is simply great. Being a self leader is not an easy task. Generally, people want to motivate themselves by leading others, but its very tough to lead yourself and he/she who does this will never regret in the life.