First level leaders need to focus on four key areas: thinking strategically, deciding and delivering results, developing their team, and working across boundaries. To be effective in these areas, first level leaders should structure work, track progress, coach their team, and understand how their work fits into the bigger picture objectives of the organization. They must also influence others, address interdependencies, and solve problems with a strategic mindset. A variety of tools are recommended to help first level leaders improve their skills in these important domains.

1. Best Practices for First Level Leaders
T D
W D
1
Thinking
Strategically
Deciding
and
Delivering
Developing
People
Working
Across
Boundaries
First level leaders need to:
• understand how their
work supports a bigger
picture objective
• solve problems with a
strategic perspective.
First level leaders need to:
• structure work
• track progress
• make adjustments and
deliver results through
others.
First level leaders need to:
• be aware of the
interdependencies of
their work
• influence others to
ensure mutual success.
First level leaders need to:
• be able to assess their
team
• coach
• encourage them to
deliver results and grow.

2. First level Leader Toolkit
2
Domain
First Level Leader
Development Objective Tools To Use
First level leaders need to structure
work, track progress, make
adjustments and deliver results
through others.
• Work Breakdown
• Prioritization: Criteria
Rating Tool
• Time Planning
• “In the Moment”
Conversations
• Meeting Management
• Scorecards and
Accountability
First level leaders need to be able to
assess their team; coach and
encourage them to deliver results
and grow.
• Leadership Style
• Personality Styles
• Coaching models: TOPS
• Objective Setting
• Team Dynamics/Goals,
Roles, Processes and
Interpersonal (GRPI)
• Inquiry vs Advocacy
• Effective Feedback
• Listening Skills
• Coaching
Conversations
First level leaders need to be aware
of the interdependencies of their
work and influence others to ensure
mutual success.
• Stakeholder Management:
Mapping Tool
• Influence
• Aligning Horizontally:
Time, Tasks and Goals
• Cross-Boundary
Conversations
First level leaders need to
understand how their work supports
a bigger picture objective and solve
problems with a strategic
perspective.
• Understanding and
Translating Strategy
• Strategic Thinking Skills:
Framing and Problem
Solving
• Customer Focus
• System Thinking
• Strategic
Communication