View category - Personal Attributes

Skills and Competencies Taxonomy 2023 Version 1.0

Personal characteristics that are innate and developed through the social context and personal experiences to which the individual is exposed. These qualities influence the way one is and does things and are considered valuable assets for work performance.

Results-Based Attributes

The personal characteristics related to the drivers around brining things to completion.

Descriptor	Definition
Achievement [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor "Achievement/Effort" has been changed to "Achievement". The French translation is titled “Accomplissement”.	The quality of establishing and maintaining goals and exerting all effort to accomplish them successfully.
Initiative	The quality of taking on responsibilities and challenges, proposing, doing or organizing something by oneself without being prompted by others.
Motivation	The quality of being driven by interest, need, reason or reward to achieve something or to reach a set outcome.
Perseverance [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Persistence” has been changed to “Perseverance”. The French translation is titled “Persévérance”. This descriptor is included in the descriptor "Adaptability" of the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Adaptability” is: Your ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, we use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve our skills through feedback. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of voluntarily and deliberately putting forth the effort required by a task or activity despite difficulties, failure or obstacles.
Risk-Taking	The quality of being willing to make a risky choice, with regard for the consequences, in the hope of achieving a desired results or benefit in return.
Competitiveness	The quality of being driven by a deep desire to be as good as or better than others to perform well in a comparable context.
Independence	The quality of developing one's own way of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Professional Conscientiousness

The personal characteristics related to the drivers around fulfilling commitments.

Descriptor	Definition
Being Responsible	The quality of taking responsibility for one’s own actions and the actions of a group.
Reliable	The quality of being dependable and respectful of commitments.
Integrity	The quality of being honest, ethical, and authentic.

Dynamic Thinking

The personal characteristics related to bubbling ideas and critical thinking.

Descriptor	Definition
Having Judgement	The quality of forming an opinion consistent with common sense based on an assessment of an event or fact.
Analytical Thinking	The quality of analyzing information and using logic to address issues and problems.
Attention to Detail [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the definition from O*NET has been modified to include the component of " Clerical Perception", as defined by the Career Handbook (ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation).	The quality of being meticulous in the execution of tasks.
Creativity [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor "Originality" has been changed to "Creativity". The French translation is titled "Créativité". This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Creativity and innovation” is: Your ability to imagine, develop, express, encourage, and apply ideas in ways that are novel, unexpected, or challenge existing methods and norms. For example, we use this skill to discover better ways of doing things, develop new products, and deliver services in a new way. In the Taxonomy, Creativity and Innovation are two distinct descriptors. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of coming up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop original ways to solve a problem.
Innovativeness [Endnotes] This is a descriptor found in the EDSC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Creativity and innovation” is: Your ability to imagine, develop, express, encourage, and apply ideas in ways that are novel, unexpected, or challenge existing methods and norms. For example, we use this skill to discover better ways of doing things, develop new products, and deliver services in a new way. In the Taxonomy, Creativity and Innovation are two distinct descriptors. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of alternative thinking to develop new products or services to make improvement or to develop a new approach.
Entrepreneurial Spirit	The quality of identifying and seizing opportunities and moving from idea to achievement.

Self-Improvement

The personal characteristics related to the improvement of one's knowledge, status, or character by one's own efforts.

Descriptor	Definition
Adaptability [Endnotes] This is a descriptor found in the EDSC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Adaptability” is: Your ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, we use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve our skills through feedback. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of adapting oneself to expected or unexpected changes and different situations while continuing to achieve past or renewed goals.
Self-Control [Endnotes] This descriptor is included in the descriptor "Adaptability" of the ESDC- Skills for Success model. The definition of “Adaptability” is: Your ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, we use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve our skills through feedback. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behaviour, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance [Endnotes] This descriptor includes the concept of stress management.	The quality of being able to remain calm, without being carried away by stress situations and to deal effectively with such situations.
Tolerance of Ambiguity	The quality of being able to function in an environment where there is uncertainty, unpredictability, conflicting directions or multiple demands and to approach these situations as challenges to improve.
Resilience [Endnotes] This descriptor is included in the descriptor "Adaptability" of the ESDC- Skills for Success model. The definition of “Adaptability” is: Your ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, we use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve our skills through feedback. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of recovering from difficulties or changes, one has had to face, to bounce back and then move forward.
Self-Awareness	The quality of being aware of own personality, character, and feelings including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, behaviors, beliefs, motivation, and emotions.
Self-Confidence	The quality of trust in one’s ability to achieve goals, believing in one’s potential and abilities, and knowing that one is capable of achieving goals when facing challenges.
Active Learning [Endnotes] This descriptor has some similarities with the descriptor "Adaptability" from the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Adaptability” is: Your ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, we use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve our skills through feedback. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of pro-actively looking to understand the implications of new information in the current and changing workplace.
Continuous Learning	The quality of wanting to continuously develop and improve one's skills, abilities and knowledge in order to adapt to changes and work effectively.

Social Traits

The personal characteristics related to the positive attitudes one has toward other people that most often lead to positive relationships.

Descriptor	Definition
Leadership	The quality of leading others towards a common goal by guiding, influencing, and inspiring them.
Charisma	The quality of possessing charm, attracting and arousing the interest, attention, or admiration of others through speeches, attitudes, temperament, or actions.
Concern for Others [Endnotes] Emotional Intelligence (EI) as defined by Daniel Goleman (1998) consists of five skills/personal attributes listed in this Taxonomy: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Social, Empathy, and Motivation. For the purpose of the Taxonomy, the component of Empathy was added to the definition of "Concern for Others".	The quality of having empathy towards others' feelings and needs and being understanding and helpful.
Collaboration [Endnotes] This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Collaboration” is: Your ability to contribute and support others to achieve a common goal. For example, at work we use this skill to provide meaningful support to team members while completing a project. The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.	The quality of contributing and working cooperatively while being supportive and inclusive of others to achieve a common goal.
Service Orientation	The quality of actively looking for ways to help, serve, or assist others.
Trust in Others	The quality of establishing and maintaining a relationship of trust with the people around you.
Social Orientation	The quality of seeking to work with others and relating to them on the job.

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Date modified:: 2019-03-01