Competencies
for Personal &
Career Success

Challenges

Seek out opportunities where you can…

1. Accurately interpret the verbal and nonverbal behavior of others.
2. Demonstrate cultural awareness or work to combat prejudice, bias, or stereotyping.
3. Develop a productive relationship with someone who may be difficult to work with.
4. Cooperate respectfully with others who are of a different race, culture, or age, or have different abilities, gender, or sexual orientation.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity, flexibility, and open-mindedness when dealing with different values, beliefs, perspectives, customs, or opinions.
6. Build trust and credibility with others.
7. Help others.

Challenges
Seek out opportunities where you can…

1. Take responsibility for finishing goals within deadlines.
2. Do the right thing – even when no one is looking.
3. Consider how your actions could impact those around you.
4. Act in a way that respects everyone’s time, including your own.
5. Consider your core values and how they impact your decision making.
6. Influence others to do the right thing.
7. Demonstrate successful work behaviors.

1. Be fully present. Act wisely for the task at hand.
2. Receive constructive feedback with a positive attitude and growth mindset.
3. Seek feedback to identify opportunities for growth.
4. Keep your emotions in check during stressful or challenging situations; recognize the impact of your responses on others (awareness of both verbal and nonverbal cues)
5. Take responsibility for the quality of your work; understand its impact on your future career.
6. Take ownership and pride in your actions.
7. Positively influence a group or situation by your attitude and presence.

1. Develop/practice a habit of punctuality.
2. Share your personal strategies for time management and fulfillment of obligations.
3. Follow directions and ask clarifying questions as needed.
4. Explain the importance of attention to detail within the context of your career field.
5. Practice recalling details.
6. Self-assess the quality of your own work. Identify critical details that result in a successful project and quality work.
7. Identify areas for self-improvement.
8. Understand and explain the importance of policies and procedures.

1. Identify your strengths and opportunities for growth within a team environment.
2. Take responsibility for leveraging your unique strengths to accomplish team goals.
3. Encourage team members to leverage their unique strengths and perspectives to accomplish team goals.
4. Actively participate in team discussions and encourage group member participation.
5. Exercise “give and take” to resolve conflicts.
6. Deliver and accept constructive feedback in a supportive, respectful manner.

Challenges
Seek out opportunities where you can…

1. Identify the true nature of a problem.
2. Recall previously learned information that is relevant to the problem.
3. Locate and obtain information relevant to understanding the problem by using all available reference systems.
4. Take corrective action to address a problem within appropriate parameters of your role.
5. Evaluate the merits of potential solutions; recommend the best option.
6. Observe and evaluate the outcomes of implementing a solution to assess the need for alternative approaches, and identify lessons learned.
7. Anticipate problems by monitoring patterns and trends.

Challenges
Seek out opportunities where you can…

1. Take ownership for the safety of your immediate environment.
2. Take responsibility for the safety of others.
3. Practice consistent observation and reporting (See something, say something)
4. Demonstrate awareness and action.
5. Assess the safety measures applied in a situation based on set parameters and recommend remedies.
6. Assess your mental well-being prior to attempting a dangerous task.

Challenges
Seek out opportunities where you can…

1. Prioritize what needs to be communicated and determine most appropriate form of delivery.
2. Tailor content, tone, and terminology of your writing for a specific audience and purpose.
3. Proofread a document to improve grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, dimensions, graphics, and use of jargon.
4. Use appropriate strategies to capture and retain important information.
5. Convey information clearly, correctly, and succinctly.
6. Apply active interpersonal communication skills using reflection, restatement, questioning, and clarification.
7. Understand the impacts of nonverbal communication (posture, appearance, expressions, gestures) on how a message is received; adapt your approach based on audience and situation/environment.
8. Understand another’s perspectives and feelings through active listening and paying attention to nonverbal cues.
9. Determine when to talk and when to listen and reflect upon the proper balance.