Competency Definitions for all Staff

Competency Definitions for all Staff

Accountability: takes responsibility for all work activities and personal actions; follows through on commitments; implements decisions that have been agreed upon; maintains confidentiality with sensitive information; acknowledges and learns from mistakes without blaming others; recognizes the impact of one's behavior on others.

Adaptability: responds to changing circumstances by being innovative and altering behavior to better fit different situations; consistently exhibits optimism and energy; learns new skills, performs work in different ways; successfully works with new colleagues; professionally deals with personal discomfort in a changing work environment; willing to be flexible; remains calm in stressful situations.

• Demonstrates tolerance for uncertainty
• Demonstrates adaptability through adopting a plan, behavior or approach

Clear Communication: expresses oneself clearly and effectively when speaking and/or writing to individuals or groups; listens attentively; ensures that information is understood by all parties; shares information in a timely manner using the most appropriate method; presents well-organized information in a group setting.

• Maintains a constructive, open dialogue with others and speaks with candor
• Presentation Skills: engages audience by presenting well-organized material in an understandable format
• Speaks persuasively and in a convincing manner
• Proofreads documents to ensure proper language usage

Initiative: takes action to improve a situation without waiting for explicit instructions; understands how one's own actions relate to the University's and department's strategic goals; recognizes and responds to opportunities in order to reach a goal; seeks new and improved techniques, solutions, and approaches to completing assignments.

• Recognizes opportunities and uses them to reach a goal
• Seeks innovative approaches to completing assignments

Managing Resources: allocates time and resources efficiently and effectively; prioritizes work and delegate as appropriate; works to minimize institutional risk by acting as a responsible steward for the University.

• Manages time well
• Delegates assignments to appropriate teams and/or individuals and ensures that they have the proper power and authority to carry them out
• Uses resources efficiently and effectively to reach goals in the spirit of responsible stewardship
• Uses teams as a way of managing resources and selects team members with the necessary skills and personal characteristics required to achieve excellence

Organization/Project Management: organizes large amounts of information by creating and maintaining well organized systems; follows logical approaches to completing work; brings a project from inception to successful completion; translates strategies into step-by-step plans for action; monitors work progress to completion; effectively prioritizes; pays close attention to detail.

• Gets the right people involved in project planning and goal setting
• Completes projects successfully and on time
• Seeks innovative approaches to process management
• Acts quickly to implement plans/projects
• Delegates tasks appropriately

Problem Solving: generates creative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; identifies and weighs options, makes sound decisions after reviewing all relevant information; anticipates and plans for potential problems; takes calculated risks; recognizes impact of solutions.

• Seeks out relevant information before making decisions
• Anticipates problems and thinks ahead about next steps
• Generates original ideas and develops creative approaches for addressing problems or opportunities

Service Orientation: acts professionally and calmly at all times when interacting with others; consistently demonstrates concern and courtesy towards colleagues and customers; treats all people respectfully; takes personal responsibility for correcting problems; follows up with individuals to ensure satisfaction with the level of service they have received.

• Works well with members of the University community (e.g., students, faculty, staff)
• Remains calm in stressful situations
• Demonstrates pleasant disposition that puts people at ease

Technology/Specialized Knowledge: demonstrates ability to use technology effectively and productively; continually updates skills and knowledge; addresses problems as they arise or seeks help as appropriate.

• Is willing to learn about technology
• Explores and regularly uses technology to perform tasks more effectively
• Troubleshoots basic technology problems and knows where to find assistance for complex problems
• Follows advances in technology that are necessary to stay current in one's field

Valuing Diversity: treats all individuals fairly and respectfully, works effectively with others, regardless of their background, position, or status; ensures that opportunities are equally available to all; respects different values and viewpoints.

• Consistently looks at issues from multiple perspectives, respecting the viewpoints and values of others
• Treats people with fairness, respect, and consideration without regard for their position, status or background
• Proactively minimizes barriers and ensures opportunities are equally available to all
• Understands multiple cultures (i.e. academic, administrative) and is able to work across boundaries

Working Collaboratively: works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor and respect. If applicable, manages groups effectively and builds partnerships with others.

• Fosters a sense of collegial partnership and teamwork
• Manages groups effectively by facilitating the participation and contributions of others and building shared goals
• Encourages cooperation and establishes common ground to achieve larger organization objectives
• Builds network of informal friendly relationships to get things done
• Works well as a member of a team
• Recognizes talented people and brings them together in unique ways to accomplish goals

Additional Competencies for those who Supervise Others:

The competencies below are provided as a guide to help measure management effectiveness. This includes the ability to lead, manage and develop others, articulate a vision that inspires commitment from others, all in a supportive environment.

Leadership: creates a vision or goal for one's work unit and communicates it in a way that motivates others to implement it; understands and leverages the organization's structure and relationships; pursues organization support and resources; develops strategies to include divergent opinions and overcome adversity; moves plans forward toward a specific course of action.

• Creates a compelling vision of the future and communicates it to others in a way that inspires their commitment
• Inspires others through energy, enthusiasm, and optimism
• Recognizes the potential impact of global, political, economic, and social changes on higher education and on the University
• Consistently demonstrates passion, enthusiasm and excitement about ideas, work, people, and/or his/her ability to succeed
• Translate visions into strategies and monitors progress

Managing Conflict: ensures productive resolution of conflict; recognizes different viewpoints; brings conflict into the open, and encourages those involved to find appropriate solutions.

• Recognizes and articulates differing opinions: brings conflict into the open and involves people in resolving it
• Encourages others to ask tough questions and disagree
• Recognizes the validity of opposing viewpoints and does not act defensively
• Mediates conflicts and finds solutions that are satisfactory to all parties
• Attacks the problem and not the person in conflict situations

Managing Performance: sets clear goals and expectations for staff; follows progress against goals; provides regular feedback; addresses performance issues promptly; fosters learning and development; provides public recognition of staff accomplishments.

• Ensures that staff members have clear goals and performance expectations
• Organizes assignments, tasks, and expectations in a way that fosters opportunities for learning and development
• Explicitly encourages others to achieve developmental goals and provides them with encouragement, support, time, and resources
• Deals firmly and promptly with performance problems; lets staff members know what is expected of them and when
• Provides specific performance feedback, both positive and constructive, as soon as possible after an event
• Stays informed about staff member's progress at meeting performance goals and expectations by providing regular, effective verbal and written feedback on performance, including the completion of annual written performance appraisals