Individual Contributors Steps

Name	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4
Level 1: Entry	Ownership: No ownership, receives instructions on nearly all tasks Initiative: None expected, does work as directed	Ownership: Little ownership, receives instructions on most tasks Initiative: Little expected, does work as directed	Ownership: Some ownership, receives instructions on some tasks Initiative: Beginning to take initiative through asking questions and learning	Ownership: Increasing ownership, can work independently on many tasks. Initiative: Increasing initiative through asking targeted questions
Level 2: Intermediate	Ownership: Works on individual tasks mostly independently Initiative: Begins deeper questioning of processes in order to improve them	Ownership: Works on individual tasks completely independently. Initiative: Deep questioning of processes; begins to suggest improvements and tweaks.	Ownership: Mastering ability to break down projects into tasks; co-owns projects with strong guidance Initiative: Takes initiative through iterating on existing processes	Ownership: Co-owns projects and owns pieces of larger projects with decreasing guidance Initiative: Takes initiative through iterating on existing processes
Level 3: Advanced	Ownership: Co-owns projects and owns pieces of larger projects in their area completely. Initiative: Makes good decisions within their scope without seeking consensus.	Ownership: Fully owns projects in their area with guidance Initiative: Makes good decisions within their scope without seeking consensus	Ownership: Fully owns projects in their area with decreasing guidance Initiative: Takes initiative through identifying gaps and opportunities	Ownership: Fully owns projects in their area completely Initiative: Takes initiative through identifying gaps and opportunities
Level 4: Highly skilled	Ownership: Works independently and owns projects entirely, both in their area and cross-functionally Initiative: Gives guidance and unblocks others; finds opportunities to mentor and grow teammates	Ownership: Sought out as a mentor and known as the “teammate of record” in their subject area Initiative: Gives guidance and unblocks others; finds opportunities to mentor and grow teammates	Ownership: Identifies and proactively tackles major challenges and problems in their area Initiative: Shows discretion in delegating tasks and focusing on higher level	Ownership: Leads adoption of new systems/tools/methodologies in their area Initiative: Shows discretion in delegating tasks and focusing on higher level
Level 5: Expert	Ownership: Conceives and own projects entirely, both in their area and cross-functionally. Regularly scopes and stages work into well-defined milestones Initiative: Reduces the complexity of projects/services/processes in order to get more done with less work	Ownership: Demonstrates knowledge of industry trends; researches and leads adoption of new approaches in their area Initiative: Reduces the complexity of projects/services/processes in order to get more done with less work	Ownership: Involved in setting direction at area level Initiative: Takes initiative to identify and solve important problems, often coordinating cross-functionally	Ownership: Involved in setting direction at area level Initiative: Takes initiative to identify and solve important problems, often coordinating cross-functionally
Level 6: Principal	Ownership: Drives projects on which multiple teams depend Initiative: Routinely and consistently pushes multiple teams within the company forward.	Ownership: As subject matter expert, plays a key role in developing overall company strategy Initiative: Drives the conversation about their area’s direction, drives team-wide consensus to adopt direction	Ownership: Decisions have a direct impact on the long-term success of Meili Initiative: Identifies major strategic opportunities to allow Meili to grow as a business	Ownership: Leads the company in developing direction in major areas Initiative: Identifies and acts on major strategic opportunities to allow Meili to grow as a business