This month we are excited to celebrate the release of the modernized SLII®, the update to our best-selling leadership development training program. We’ve always worked to keep SLII® relevant for today’s leaders, and this latest revision is no exception.
One of my favorite new modules in SLII® is about managers and direct reports sharing a new “shorthand” language of leadership using just five keywords, enabling them to have quick, effective conversations on the go. This is something that Vicki Halsey, our VP of applied learning, has been sharing in keynotes for years. I’m glad it has officially made its way into the program!
These days, leaders aren’t always able to sit down and have a detailed conversation with a direct report who might be struggling with a goal. Communication is more likely to happen via text: “Are you busy? I’ve got a problem.”
But when both people know the language of SLII®, they can use five keywords and have an efficient “shorthand” conversation about development levels, leadership styles, and fast solutions. The keywords are Goal, Competence, Commitment, Direction, and Support.
- As you might guess, the keyword Goal is about the specific, trackable outcome the direct report is working toward. The Goal is the objective that needs to be addressed in the conversation.
- The keyword Competence is about the team member’s skills and ability to achieve the Goal. Leaders can use this word in conversation to determine whether the person needs more supervision or is able to work on their own.
- The keyword Commitment refers to both confidence and motivation. This word will come up in discussion regarding the person’s motivation on the Goal and helps the leader detect and address a possible lack of confidence or enthusiasm in the direct report.
- Direction is the specific instruction or guidance given to a direct report, in an amount that varies depending on the person’s development level on a specific Goal. In conversation, this keyword helps leaders determine the amount of close supervision and assistance they need to give the team member for their current level of development.
- Support, similar to direction, refers to a specific style of leadership given to a team member that matches their development level on their current Goal. Support involves the leader encouraging and providing information and other resources to help the direct report feel confident and empowered to achieve the Goal.
Leaders and team members who use this common “shorthand” language of SLII® are able to have a quick and productive conversation to diagnose the person’s Competence and Commitment on their Goal so that the leader can give the correct amount of Direction and Support, smooth out or eliminate the struggle, and cheer on the direct report toward Goal achievement.
I think SLII® is such a wonderful way to lead people, and even after 45 years, it just keeps getting better and better!