Now that you understand competence and commitment as separate dimensions, let's explore the first development stage: the Enthusiastic Beginner.
This person has high commitment but low competence. They're excited and motivated but lack the skills to succeed.
Engagement Message
Can you think of a time when you were really excited to try something new but didn't know how?
Enthusiastic Beginners are easy to spot. They volunteer for projects, ask lots of questions, and show genuine excitement about learning.
But they make mistakes, need frequent guidance, and don't yet know what they don't know.
Engagement Message
What are some signs someone is eager to learn but still developing their skills?
Why does this stage exist? When people start something new, they naturally feel optimistic. They haven't yet hit the reality of how challenging the work actually is.
Their enthusiasm is genuine - they just haven't experienced the difficulties yet.
Engagement Message
Think back to starting a new job—how did your optimism change from day one to week three?
Here's what Enthusiastic Beginners typically say: "I'm excited to get started!" or "How do I do this?" or "I want to learn everything!"
They ask genuine questions and seem grateful for any guidance you provide.
Engagement Message
How does this sound different from someone who's been doing the work for months?
The challenge with Enthusiastic Beginners is that their eagerness can mask their actual skill gaps. They might say "I've got this!" when they really don't.
This can lead to costly mistakes if you don't provide enough structure and guidance.
Engagement Message
Why might it be tempting to give enthusiastic people more independence than they're ready for?
