Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Hands-On ... - always yours

240 LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
11. DEVELOPMENT FIRST
In 1995 David Peterson and Mary Dee Hicks wrote Development
F.I.R.S.T. It gives simple yet powerful steps for implementing
a development plan that will help you or your direct report make
sure your big ideas have staying power so that they do not disappear
like last year’s well-intentioned New Year’s resolution. Include
these topics in your conversations with your direct reports or have
them bring these answers to your one-on-ones. For your own development,
write out your answers to further illuminate the process.
Each step follows the F.I.R.S.T. acronym:
1. FOCUS ON PRIORITIES: What are the most important issues
or competencies to focus on in your development plan? Remember,
one or two key areas are enough. It’s a good idea to work with them
for a month or two until you have them mastered.
• Where are you now and where do you want to go?
• What are you actually going to do differently?
• How will these things benefit you and the organization?
2. IMPLEMENT SOMETHING EVERY DAY: Peterson and
Hicks suggest spending five minutes a day on development. These
micro-initiatives can lead to macro impacts. They suggest fi nding
situations that have high stakes and visibility, novelty to stretch your
comfort zone, challenges where you have to do more than in the
past, and interaction where you have to work through others over
whom you don’t have position power.
• Can you take a risk each day?
• What is one small step toward your goal?
• How can you employ your strengths?
• What resources or training will help you take these steps?
• What do you need to face?
3. REFLECT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE: This involves spending
time really thinking about what has and hasn’t worked in the past.