An innovative approach to self development U I A The AEIOU Framework An innovative approach to self development Shantanu Paknikar

Session Objectives Why is Self-Development important? What is the AEIOU Framework? How can an individual leverage the AEIOU Framework for self-development?

Why is self-development important? The story of two archers People Development: A key corporate charter in today’s knowledge society Need to address challenges of scale Need to supplement traditional approaches such as training OUR WORLD TODAY – THE NEED FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT

Self-Development: The Team Context In our organization, we are always a part of a team Each team is a part of a larger team, ending with the organization itself as the largest team Therefore, at any given time, we are a part of not only the immediate team, but also the larger team People Development must happen in the team context THE TEAM CONTEXT HOWEVER, Each of us has a different approach to self-development The results could therefore vary A structured and systematic approach is needed!

What is the AEIOU Framework? A ‘Ladder’ based on the vowels of the English alphabet Represents a systematic and methodical approach to self development Focused efforts towards “climbing” the ladder can ensure self development Note: It is not a team development approach Used by an individual as a personal, 1-1 exercise Helps figure out where he/she stands with respect to the team Helps him/her plan how to increase his/her stature and standing

Leveraging the AEIOU Framework Understanding the AEIOU Framework Leveraging the framework for self-development

A for: Awareness As a first step, and at a very minimum, Awareness of our team is critical EXERCISE: For the chosen team, what is my level of awareness? What are my team’s objectives? Are my objectives connected with my team’s? How? What were my team’s achievements during the previous year? What are the next year targets? What are the key offerings of my team? Who are the key customers? What are the new initiatives planned? What are the key focus areas going forward? What is the team structure, which are the sub-groups / teams? What are the roles / responsibilities? Who are the people? 8/10 and more: Move to the Next Block, E Otherwise: I need to build my Awareness further

E for: Enthusiasm It is not enough to be aware – we must have the Enthusiasm to participate in what is going on. It is enthusiasm and excitement that can trigger us into action EXERCISE: Have I translated my awareness into Enthusiasm? How many times have I volunteered to conduct a training? How many times have I come forward to mentor/coach? How many times have I volunteered to take a revenue target? How often do I come up with ideas to help my team do better? How often do I share my knowledge / ideas / opinions with the team? 4/5 and more: Move to the Next Block, I Otherwise: I need to demonstrate more Enthusiasm

I for: Involvement Just awareness and enthusiasm is not enough – we need to have Involvement in whatever is going on. Often, we have the awareness and the enthusiasm – but don’t translate that into actual involvement EXERCISE: Have I translated Enthusiasm to Involvement? Am I involved in at least 1 initiative for my team? Is my involvement increasing over time? Am I sharing the knowledge that I have with the rest of the team, on a regular basis? Am I absorbing the knowledge shared by others? Do I respond to requests for help / support made on common forums [e.g. mailing lists]? When somebody else is leading an initiative and asks for participation – how often do I respond and get involved? 4/5 and more: Move to the Next Block, O Otherwise: I need to increase my Involvement in my team’s activities

O for: Ownership The next level after Involvement is Ownership Real growth for the team and ourselves happens when we start taking ownership EXERCISE: Where do I stand with respect to Ownership? Am I owning at least one initiative / activity for my team? Am I accountable and responsible for the same? Am I leading and showing the way to others? Am I reaching out to people and asking them for help, or do I prefer to work alone? Have I created an artifact [e.g. a paper, a reusable component, a solution, a framework] where I am the primary owner? Is my ownership increasing quarter on quarter and year on year? 4/5 and more: Move to the Next Block, U Otherwise: I need to increase my Ownership in some of my team’s activities

U for: Ultimate Goal WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL? Awareness, Enthusiasm, Involvement and Ownership – all these are important provided they result in achieving the ultimate goal. Unless leveraged constantly and tirelessly to move towards the ultimate goal, they lose their relevance and meaning Therefore - every single thing that we do in the team must result in a step [or more] towards achieving the ultimate goal. WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL?

Recap: The “Steps” of the AEIOU ladder A for: Awareness Of the team’s objectives, and challenges Of the key focus areas / initiatives going forward E for: Enthusiasm To participate in the team’s initiatives To demonstrate the same I for: Involvement In terms of actual participation, consistently and over a long period In terms of supporting the initiative completely O for: Ownership Of at least one initiative in the team Taking responsibility and accountability for the same U for: Ultimate Goal Focused efforts on A, E, I, and O so as to contribute to U

The Ultimate Goal: Growth ? My Growth DEPENDS ON My Team’s Growth AND - ON HOW I INFLUENCE IT! The ultimate goal for the team is Growth Growth can tangible or intangible What is obvious: “My growth can happen only with the team’s growth” What may not be so obvious: “My growth depends on how I contribute to my team’s growth, or how I influence it!” Examples of tangible growth – revenues, headcount, margins, customers, service lines, market share … essentially, the numbers. This is the usual focus and is of obvious importance Examples of intangible growth – brand, visibility, mindshare [e.g. analysts, customers, partners], customer references Intangible growth is important – since it results in long-term tangible growth

Summary Awareness, Enthusiasm, Involvement and Ownership with a focus towards the Ultimate goal of GROWTH is one way of ensuring success for self and team. A focus on contributing to and influencing the team’s growth ensures our own. As we scale up to higher levels of the team, we may find ourselves at the bottom of the ladder again and again. Climbing the AEIOU ladder therefore is a constant process – but will consistently ensure growth! FINAL COMMENT – KEY TAKEAWAY My Growth DEPENDS ON my team’s growth, … … AND on how I influence / contribute to / impact the same. AEIOU provides a framework to help me influence and impact my team’s growth

Thank You! Shantanu Paknikar Note: The course content and material is original and has been developed based on my experiences, observations and opinions developed over several years. In particular, I would like to acknowledge whatever I have learnt at my previous organization Wipro Technologies and my current organization, Happiest Minds Technologies Private Limited. Questions / clarifications / comments: shantanu.paknikar@gmail.com | shantanu.paknikar@happiestminds.com Please check my blog for other Articles, Opinions and Insights. Also coming soon is a PDF (Paper) based on this content. http://www.shantanupaknikar.wordpress.com