The document discusses how being an expert can stall a career. It describes different stages of adult development, including conventional stages like the diplomat/conformer and expert, and post-conventional stages like the pluralist/individualist/catalyst and co-creator/strategist. Later stages are able to see multiple perspectives and generate organizational transformations. The document provides tips for employees to advance their careers and for employers to support staff in transitioning between stages through mentorship and coaching.

1. How Being An Expert Can Stall
Your Career
Arizona Technology Council
May 1, 2012
Margo Boster
#ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions

2. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
ImpaQ Solutions
• Concentrating on the people side of business, we
work with individuals, teams and organizations to
help them be better leaders, better employees,
and better companies.
• Some of our services include:
– Executive/leadership coaching
– Organizational and team development
– Organizational culture and improvement
– Strategic management and company growth strategic
planning
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3. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
Margo Boster
• CEO & Principal Consultant, ImpaQ Solutions, LLC
• Help organizations and the people within those organizations do
and be more than they thought possible; more than 25 years of
professional experience in senior leadership
– International Coaching Federation credentialed coach
– Center for Credentialing and Education Board Certified Executive Coach
– BS in Psychology with emphasis in Organizational Effectiveness, University of
Maryland
– Graduate level course work in Public Policy and Administration
– Georgetown University Certified Leadership Coach
– PMI Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
– HIMSS Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems
(CPHIMSS)
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4. #ImpaQExpert
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Today’s Discussion
• Introduction to concept of Adult Stages of
Development
• Why it matters to you – as an employee,
employer or manager
• How you can use this information
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5. #ImpaQExpert
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Topics include…
• Characteristics of each stage
• Identify jobs that are most appropriate for different stage
• If I’m a technical person and want to advance in my career,
what do I need to do?
• If I’ve moved into a management position and am having
challenges, what may help me be more effective
• The value of businesses having a career management track
and a technical track
• What companies need to know and do with a technical
person who wants to rise into management
• Beneficial actions to take when you are responsible for
hiring and/or developing employees
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6. #ImpaQExpert
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Action Logic Stages
Conventional Stages Post-Conventional Stages
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Stages Are Not About…
• Behavioral style (DiSC)
• Intelligence
• Personality preferences (MBTI)
• Job position
• Socio-economic status
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8. #ImpaQExpert
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Be Your Self
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3qGX3PNphw&feature=related
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Conventional Stages
80% - 85%
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10. #ImpaQExpert
• Avoids overt conflict.@ImpaQ_Solutions
Wants to belong; obeys
group norms; rarely rocks
the boat
• Gain approval and avoid
disapproval from those
they regard as significant
• Power comes from
affiliation
• Important to “save face”
• “Us” and “Them”
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11. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
Diplomat / Conformer
Matthew Perry
Movie: Mr. Sunshine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmPPEs6wN4
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12. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
• Strengths
– Good as supportive glue
within an office
– Helps bring people together
• Appropriate Jobs
– Sales / Business Development
– Assistants
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13. #ImpaQExpert
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• Rules by logic and
expertise. Seeks rational
efficiency.
• Believe there is a “Right
Way”
• Perfectionist standards
• Tendency to micromanage
• Sarcastic humor
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Expert
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
TV Series: NCIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKBbfNrv4ns
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15. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
• Strengths
– Good as an individual
contributor
• Appropriate Jobs
– Project Managers
– Team Leads
– Technical Experts
– Software Developers
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16. #ImpaQExpert
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• Meets strategic goals.
Effectively achieves goals
through teams; juggles
managerial duties and market
demands.
• Has more complex and
integrated understanding of the
world.
• Open to feedback; appreciates
ambiguities and conflicts.
• Focused on successful plans and
outcomes
• Driven to accomplish things
• Believe in the scientific method;
answers can be found
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Achiever
Steve Jobs, Founder and former CEO Apple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SDowINMjfo
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18. #ImpaQExpert
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• Strengths
– Action and goal oriented
– Get results through teams
• Appropriate Jobs
– Senior Managers
– Executives
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19. #ImpaQExpert
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Action Logic Stages
Conventional Stages Post-Conventional Stages
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20. #ImpaQExpert
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Employees Can…
• Be Aware
• Choose where you want to be at this point
– There is no universal “Right” answer
• Be open to different approaches
– Recognize that what got you where you are may not get
you where you want to go
• Awareness  Willingness  Skills
• Determine how you can acquire the skills that are
going to make you most effective
• Find role models, get a mentor, request a professional
coach
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21. #ImpaQExpert
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Employer/ Manager Can..
• Provide opportunity for Diplomats and Experts
• Recognize the transition pains
• Help grow / support your employees
– Don’t assume they will automatically have the
skills to transition from one stage to another
without support
– Establish a mentor program
– Engage professional coach
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Tips for Working With Each Stage
• Diplomat
– Help them manage conflict and use positive
working relationships to support the group
– Help them begin to create a separate sense of self
• Expert
– Help them with time management
– Teach delegation skills
From “How Stages of Adult Development Influences Leaders and
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Organizations”; Barbara Braham, Ph.D., and Chris Wahl, M.A.Ed.

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Tips for Working with Each Stage
• Achiever
– Help them build emotional intelligence
– Help them achieve work/life balance
From “How Stages of Adult Development Influences Leaders and
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Organizations”; Barbara Braham, Ph.D., and Chris Wahl, M.A.Ed.

24. #ImpaQExpert
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Intention vs Impact
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsdlRiQM75s
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For More Information
Margo Boster
margo.boster@impaq-solutions.com
480-359-6147
www.impaq-solutions.com
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26. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
Margo Boster
• Margo has a long history of helping organizations and the people within
those organizations achieve goals they felt were beyond their reach. With
more than 25 years of professional experience in senior leadership and
information management, including more than 10 years in health
information management, she combines proven, real world experience
with the education and training to help you thrive.
– BS in Psychology with emphasis in Organizational Effectiveness
– Georgetown University Certified Leadership Coach
– Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
– Certified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
– PMI Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
– HIMSS Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems
(CPHIMSS)
– Graduate level course work in Public Policy and Administration
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27. #ImpaQExpert
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Mark Boster, PhD
• Mark Boster is an industry leader in both Federal Government and private
sector. He takes small or under-performing organizations and leads them
to heights they never thought possible. He brings more than 30 years of
management experience including 20 years of IT management at all levels
of the Federal Government and private sector. Dr. Boster is a
demonstrated leader in building businesses and growing partnerships
between businesses and government to accomplish mutual goals and
exceed customer's expectations.
– BS from The Ohio State University
– M.S. and PhD from the University of Arizona
– Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University
– Federal 100 Industry Award Recipient
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Post Conventional Stages
16%
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29. #ImpaQExpert
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Pluralist/Individualist/Catalyst
• Interweaves competing personal and
company action logics. Creates unique
structures to resolve gaps between strategy
and performance.
• May be irritated by the drive of the Achiever
• Likes the process of discovery
• Sees things from different perspectives
• 5% - 10%
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Pluralist/Individualist/Catalyst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bJBeCI0e3U
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Pluralist/Individualist/Catalyst
• Strengths
– Effective in venture and consulting roles
• Appropriate Jobs
– Change Agents
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32. #ImpaQExpert
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Tips for Working With Each Stage
• Pluralist
– Help them deepen inquiry skills
– Support self exploration and development (who
am I)
• Strategist
– Help them manage polarities
– Be a thinking partner (and stay out of the way!)
From “How Stages of Adult Development Influences Leaders and
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Organizations”; Barbara Braham, Ph.D., and Chris Wahl, M.A.Ed.

33. #ImpaQExpert
@ImpaQ_Solutions
Co-Creator / Strategist
• Generates organizational and personal
transformations. Exercises the power of mutual
inquiry, vigilance, and vulnerability for both the
short and long term.
• Meet people where they are
• Committed to personal development, self-
actualization
• Strengths: Effective as transformational leader.
• 4%
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34. #ImpaQExpert
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Co-Creator/Strategist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk
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35. #ImpaQExpert
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Alchemist/Synergist
• Generates social transformations. Integrates
material, spiritual, and societal
transformation.
• Strengths: Good at leading society-wide
transformations.
• 1%
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36. #ImpaQExpert
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Alchemist / Synergist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elBx5lbnCe0
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