{"id":1447,"date":"2021-07-01T11:35:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T11:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/situational.com\/the-challenge-of-the-r1-diagnosis\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T10:05:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:05:48","slug":"the-challenge-of-the-r1-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/situational.com\/blog\/the-challenge-of-the-r1-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"The Challenge of the R1 Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now, no person is ever \u201cR1.\u201d Let\u2019s be clear: Every person, even a new person, will almost certainly find tasks and behaviors required in their job for which they are R2<\/a> (Unable but Confident or Willing). If they quickly demonstrate a \u201csustained, acceptable level\u201d of ability, they will have some tasks for which they are R3<\/a> (Able but perhaps working through some Insecurity about performing without a supervised safety net) or even R4<\/a> (Able and Confident and Willing).<\/p>\n

Why Is R1 Viewed As A Negative?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s first acknowledge that most of us want to do what we do at a high level. We want to be known as not only proficient at our tasks but excellent! We want high marks and ratings on performance reviews, which bring recognition and rewards and raises.<\/p>\n

However, for whatever reason, when we find ourselves at R1, we frequently do our best to keep that a secret.<\/p>\n

The Truth About R1<\/h2>\n

If you are new to the task, confidence is your strongest-felt need. We build our confidence initially off the backs of others as we work with our manager, peers and teammates to develop skills under their tutelage. Wouldn\u2019t it be better to simply own your readiness to perform and \u201craise your hand for help\u201d rather than hoping nobody \u201ccatches on\u201d and everything \u201cjust sort of works out some way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Some come to R1 for this task from R2. We came in with great confidence and willingness, then suddenly realized, \u201cThis is more difficult than I thought. It\u2019s taking longer than I expected to build competency and skill. My confidence is now waning, and I\u2019m feeling a bit insecure about this task. To mask that, though, I\u2019ll procrastinate, or avoid or see if someone else will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of us come to R1 for this task from R3 or R4. \u201cI do know how to do this; I have knowledge, experience and skill. But when the new boss came in and refused to trust me with this task, even after I proved myself \u2026 When it came down \u2018from the top\u2019 that we must now complete this task with new software, under new protocols, in half the time we used to \u2026 When I did it at R4 for so long and got so little recognition for it \u2026 Then I began to withhold performance, basically delivering what I perceived they wanted, or deserved, from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Application Challenge<\/h2>\n