Use the Shadow-Steer-Solo Model to Train Employees Effectively

Trying to teach a colleague how to set up an Excel spreadsheet, reconcile a bank account, or store inventory properly in your stockroom?

It’s easy to fall into one of two negative extremes when teaching people new tasks:

1. Holding their hand for too long and not trusting them to take over the task

2. Pushing them into the deep end too fast without providing adequate support

After eight years in learning & development (L&D), I’ve found a simple but effective model to strike the right balance between supporting team members and not micromanaging a task for too long.

I call the model “Shadow/Steer/Solo.” Here’s how it works:

1. Shadow: First, let the other person watch you perform the task. Talk them through the basics while executing a real-world example.

2. Steer: Now, let them take the steering wheel and perform the task. Stick around to watch them and provide feedback.

3. Solo: Once you’ve watched the team member execute the task correctly once or twice, you can step away and trust that they’ll perform the work at a high level.

Occasionally, you’ll witness this training model in action somewhere like a restaurant.

For example, my wife and I recently visited the kitschy, witchy town of Salem, Massachusetts just before Halloween. One night we ate at a Mediterranean restaurant, and after the host seated us, two servers came over to take our order. The first server stumbled over his words as he made small talk.

Another server lurked behind him and stepped in to help when we asked a couple of questions about the menu that the first server didn’t know. This second server exhibited the smooth conversational skills that come with years of speaking to strangers every night.

The second server was training the first one, and they were apparently in the “Steer” stage of Shadow/Steer/Solo.

Restaurants have used training models like this successfully for years. But regardless of your company’s industry, you can use a similar model to train your team members.

This model's power is its simplicity. The leaders I’ve coached have found it to be memorable, intuitive, and easy to use.

The next time you’re trying to teach someone how to do something like fill out an expense report, create a project plan, or write a sales outreach email, give the Shadow/Steer/Solo model a spin.