I want to share with you a way to develop your team that will help not only them, but you as well. It is rarely satisfying to see team members move at a developmental level – from dependence on independence to interdependence. I’ve found that the best way to help them is to make sure I use the right approach at each milestone.
But does it require training, counseling or guidance? Here are the definitions I’ve learned and the analogies that help you communicate with you.
Training
The trainer has all the information and is responsible for providing it to team members.
There is no doubt that today, you drive with ease and confidence. Remember the time before you had this skill. You need training first. You read a book and took some classes. The trainer has all the information, you are not familiar with the driving technology. You’re in the dependency phase, and everyone says, “just sit there until I tell you what to do.” This is prudent guidance. Who knows what you were capable of? Everyone seems to know a teenager who drives into a house or garage door. Oh dear!
Consulting
A consultant has all the answers and is responsible for identifying problems and providing solutions.
Let’s go over it again when you start driving. Maybe you stop or get too close to a corner too quickly, or your major may be an unstable start. Your driving coach or lucky parent is your advisor, pointing out your driving problems and (hopefully) offering solutions to make you a better driver. Here, you’re on your own — able to drive your own car, but still report to your parents where you’re going and when you’re coming back.