A structured approach to self development

The AEIOU Framework

Facilitator: <Your name here>

Author: Shantanu PaknikarLicense: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Session Objectives

1. Why is Self-Development important?

2. What is the AEIOU Framework?

3. How can an individual leverage the AEIOU Framework for self-development?

1. CORPORATE RELEVANCE

o People Development: A key corporate charter

2. ADDRESSING SCALE

o Large scale always a challenge

o Need to supplement traditional training approaches

o Self-Development can play a big role in addressing the scale of operations

3. SELF DEVELOPMENT

o Each of us has a different approach to self-development

o Results could therefore vary

o A structured and systematic approach is needed to address the above!

o Must happen in a team / organization context

The need for structured self-development

• We belong to different teams –

depicted as “Levels”

• First Step: Choose your team

Will be the context for the rest of the

session

• The AEIOU framework can help to

o Evaluate our standing in the team

(with respect to contributions)

o Plan for how we can focus on

increasing those contributions

Self-Development: The Team Context

• WHAT IT ISo A systematic and methodical approach to self development

o Focused efforts towards “climbing” the ladder can ensure self development

• WHAT IS IT NOTo It is not a team development approach

The AEIOU Framework: A “Ladder”

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

• Evaluate how much you know about your chosen team, and how well.

a) What were my team’s top 3 achievements for the previous year? What are

my team’s top 3 team objectives for the coming year?

b) What are the key initiatives my team is taking to address those objectives?

c) What are the Challenges / Threats that could adversely affect the objectives?

• For each answer, give yourself a score between 1 and 4 based on

1. Don’t know

2. Know a little

3. Know a fair bit

4. Know completely

• Total your score

Exercise 1: The A Step

Note: questions are illustrative. Once you understand the framework, you can customize for your context

• Exercise 1: The A Step

• Score Interpretation

o 8 and below: You are yet to cross the step A

• Action / Takeaway: You need to increase your A__________ about your

team!

o 9 and above: move to the next step E

• Benefits of A: Examples from the audience

The A Step: Awareness

Takeaways

• Awareness is a fundamental need

• Build your awareness about your team

• Personality Trait: Be curious. It won’t kill.

• How often have you done the following?

a) Volunteering to participate in a new initiative announced

b) Going beyond role boundaries for the team’s objective

c) Moving out of your comfort zone (e.g. agreeing to work in an uncertain area)

• Use the following scale

1. Never

2. Sometimes

3. Frequently

4. Always

• Total your score for the 3 questions

Exercise 2: The E Step

Note: questions are illustrative. Once you understand the framework, you can customize for your context

• Exercise 2: The E Step

• Score Interpretation

o 8 and below: you are yet to cross the step E

• Action / Takeaway: You need to be more E_________!

o 9 and above, move to the next step I

• Benefits of E: Examples from the audience

The E Step: Enthusiasm

Takeaways

• Enthusiasm must complement awareness

• Show a proactive, “Let’s do it” approach

• Personality Trait: Be passionate and energetic

• For your chosen team, evaluate how often you have:

a) Participated in key team initiatives as an active contributor

b) Provided active support for colleagues leading other initiatives

c) Shared your knowledge and learning with other team members

• Use the following scale

1. Never

2. Sometimes

3. Frequently

4. Always

• Total your score for the 3 questions

Exercise 3: The I Step

Note: questions are illustrative. Once you understand the framework, you can customize for your context

• Exercise 3: The I Step

• Score Interpretation

o 8 and below: you are yet to cross the step I

• Action / Takeaway: You need to be more I_________ in your team’s

activities!

o 9 and above: move to the next step O

• Benefits of I: Examples from the audience

The I Step: Involvement

Takeaways

• Enthusiasm must translate to actual involvement

• Involvement is what drives execution, which delivers results

• Personality Trait: Be humble and willing to support somebody else

• For your chosen team, evaluate how often you have:

a) Taken the Responsibility (& Accountability) for a new initiative

b) Driven the same to closure

c) Evangelized and garnering support for the same

• Use the following scale

1. Never

2. Sometimes

3. Frequently

4. Always

• Total your score

Exercise 4: The O Step

Note: questions are illustrative. Once you understand the framework, you can customize for your context

• Exercise 4: The O Step

• Score Interpretation

o 8 and below: You are yet to cross the step O

• Action / Takeaway: You need to take more O_________ for some of your

team’s activities!

o 9 and above: move to the next step U

• Benefits of O: Examples from the audience

The O Step: Ownership

Takeaways

• Graduate from involvement to ownership

• Putting your head on the line is a sign of true leadership

• Personality Trait: Be willing to shoulder responsibility and show the way

• A for: Awarenesso Of the team’s objectives, and challenges

o Of the key focus areas / initiatives going forward

• E for: Enthusiasmo To participate in the team’s initiatives

o To demonstrate the same

• I for: Involvemento In terms of actual participation, consistently and over a long period

o In terms of supporting the initiative completely

• O for: Ownershipo Of at least one initiative in the team

o Taking responsibility and accountability for the same

• U for: Ultimate Goalo Understanding the ultimate goal: What is it??

o Focused efforts on A, E, I, and O so as to contribute to U

Recap: The “Steps” of the AEIOU ladder

• For your chosen team, list out instances where you have leveraged

A,E,I,O to contribute to your team doing well

o Tangible: Direct revenue targets / run-rate contributions

o Intangible: Contributions to IP / thought leadership / brand building

o People development (Mentoring / Coaching / other techniques)

• Use the following scale

1. Never

2. Sometimes

3. Frequently

4. Always

• Total your score

Exercise 5: The Ultimate Goal

Note: questions are illustrative. Once you understand the framework, you can customize for your context

• Exercise 5: Ultimate Goal

• Score Interpretationo If you score 8 and below, you are yet to cross the step U

• Takeaway: A,E,I and O are of value ONLY IF they result in U

• Action: Increase your direct and visible influence on the team’s results

o If you score 9 and above, choose the next team level and repeat the exercises!

• Benefits of U: Examples from the audience

The Ultimate Goal: Growth

My Growth My Team’s Growth

?DEPENDS ON

AND ON HOW I INFLUENCE IT!

1. Awareness, Enthusiasm, Involvement and Ownership

with a focus towards the Ultimate goal of GROWTH is one

way of ensuring success for self and team.

2. A focus on contributing to and influencing the team’s

growth ensures our own.

3. As we scale up to higher levels of the team, we may find

ourselves at the bottom of the ladder again and again.

4. Climbing the AEIOU ladder therefore is a constant process

– but will consistently ensure growth!

Summary

1. My Growth DEPENDS ON my team’s growth, …

2. … AND on how I influence / contribute to / impact the same.

3. AEIOU provides a framework to help me influence and impact my team’s growth

FINAL COMMENT – KEY TAKEAWAY

Thank You!

For questions / clarifications / comments you can reach the facilitator at:<Your email address>

Author Contact: Shantanu PaknikarShantanu.Paknikar@gmail.com

https://in.linkedin.com/in/shantanupaknikar

What can you do next?

1. Adopt the AEIOU methodology to your career2. Spread the word – Become a facilitator! Take this content and conduct

sessions for your team!