Stage 2 — Contributing Independently

 

Characteristics
•	Assume responsibility for a definite portion of a work effort or process.
•	Work independently and produce results that are recognized as your own.
•	Develop credibility and a reputation for competent work.
•	Manage more of your own time and are more accountable for outcomes.

Stage 2 represents your solid technical foundation. Your peer relationships take on significant importance‚ especially in a team context.

People in Stage 2 cooperate fully with their team members.
•	They pull their weight, needing minimal guidance.
•	They willingly share information with the team.
•	They rely less on supervisors or mentors for direction and more on the team.
•	They may resent being “micromanaged.”

Moving into Stage 2
To move into Stage 2‚ you must develop your own ideas and judgment and cultivate your own standards of performance. Developing confidence in one’s own judgment is a difficult, but necessary, process.

Resist the temptation to rush through Stage 2. If you move too fast into a management or leadership role‚ you’ll never have the            credibility necessary to make broader contributions. Pay your dues            — make sure you first establish yourself as a competent            professional.

Staying in Stage 2
Stage 2 represents a key decision point in your career. Many people prefer a “leave me alone and let me do my work” type of role. Indeed‚ the most readily identifiable role in most organizations is the independent contributor — the expert or specialist working as a member of the team.

This “lone wolf” philosophy is fraught with peril. Continued recognition and reward requires:
•	Staying at the “cutting edge” of your discipline.
•	The continued strategic importance of that discipline to the organization.

You may be able to control the former‚ but the latter is beyond your influence. If you decide to stay in Stage 2‚ don’t sit back and expect to be valued forever. In any stage‚ you need to actively expand your skills and build your contribution.