Creating a New Role

The process of creating a new role is part of the domain of Lead Links. When a Lead Link senses the need for a new role, either through their own experiences or by request of someone else, they start by defining a draft role description.

The purpose of a role description is to create clarity for individuals energizing the role and those working with them. Clarity provides the best opportunity for everyone to deliver on the purpose of the overall organization.

The minimum specifics for a good role description include:

Role Name: A short and descriptive title for the role. Examples: Project Manager, Partner Lead, Drafting Specialist.

Role Purpose: One sentence answering the question "Why does this role exist?”

Role Accountabilities: Five to seven bullet points listing the primary accountabilities of this role including clusters of jobs to be done on an ongoing basis.

Operating Agreements: A list of the operating agreements that apply to the role (as listed in Sobol).

Team / Circle: The name of the Circle holding this role (indicated by location of role in Sobol).

Role Energizer: The name of the individual energizing the role or “Not filled” (indicated by “Owner” in Sobol).

Other components might be helpful depending on the role:

• Measures of a role well stewarded

• Metrics / Targets

• Rationale of role (history of how this role came to be)

• Skills / Experiences / Strengths necessary to be successful in this role

• Role duration (when will this role be re-evaluated)

• Compensation

• Travel requirements

• Strengths required/called upon

• Other roles that this role interacts with

• Hours of operations specific to this role

• Training certifications

• Security Screening Requirement

• Percentage of time allocated to fulfilling the role

Once the role has been drafted and advice sought by those most impacted, the Lead Link brings the role forward to a Governance Meeting for discussion and final decision.