Most individuals look forward to having their own projects or areas of responsibility. Earning this opportunity—and taking advantage of it—move a person into Stage 2.
Mastering Stage 2 requires that you:
Stage 2 is a key decision point in your career. Some people find they prefer to be left alone to do their work. In fact, the most readily identifiable role in most organizations is as the individual contributor— the subject-matter expert, the specialist, the team member.
Keep in mind two points: First, in order to contribute in a Stage 3 manner, you do not need to be a manager. If you do not wish to move into a management position, consider ways of informally coaching and mentoring others that better match your career aspirations. Second, if you plan to remain an independent contributor, you must continually increase your technical knowledge to remain a valued contributor.
The Stage 2 to Stage 3 transition is the most difficult novation to make. There are several adjustments that need to take place in order to move into Stage 3. You must:
