It may be helpful to think about which of these areas are your strengths and weaknesses. If you lead others, this could serve as a framework for coaching and performance reviews. No matter where you sit in the organization or how experienced you are, opportunities for improvement abound.
You'll notice that in addition to the skills that make someone proficient at their job, this list includes many soft skills that help employees work well with others and contribute to a culture of positive change.
Integrity is an essential element of trust. When it is lacking, even the most skilled and capable employees can cause significant harm to an organization. Someone demonstrates integrity when they:
Initiative is the ability and willingness to act without prodding. Someone with initiative volunteers to get a task done even if no one has specifically asked them. Initiative is displayed when someone:
Time management is the ability to get the most out of all time spent at work by planning tasks, applying the proper priority, and setting realistic expectations. Good time management involves:
It is important to note that leadership isn't confined to managers and executives. Every person on the team can hone their ability to influence others and engage in problem-solving. Leadership happens when someone:
Delegation means giving tasks to others when they are better suited for the job. While it may seem better to do everything yourself, delegation is critical for time management and productivity. Effective delegators:
Communication skills are some of the most sought-after in any work environment. People who are effective communicators tend to rise through the ranks and stand out. The keys to becoming an excellent communicator are:
Everyone in the organization has a specific set of skills and a defined role, but collaboration and teamwork are the basis of success. The most effective team members:
Even for those not in a position of authority, decision-making is an essential element of any job. There are many decision-making styles, but ultimately everyone should be adept at knowing what to do or when to ask for help. Skilled decision-makers:
The leaders will set the strategic goals for the organization. Still, even front-line employees should develop goal-setting skills to monitor achievements related to their professional development. People who are excellent goal setters:
Empathy is one of the essential soft skills in the workplace. For leaders and managers, it is the key to employee retention. In study after study, employees say they are more likely to stay with an empathetic employer. Empathy is also the best way to understand customer needs and solve their problems. Empathic people:
Creativity and innovation are not limited to marketing and product development. Every person can find new and novel ways of improving processes and solving problems. Creativity is manifest by:
Productivity is often defined as a ratio between the output volume and the volume of inputs. In other words, it measures how efficiently labor and resources are used to produce the desired outcome. For individuals, it relates to time management and quality. Productive employees:
If any of these areas for professional improvement stood out as something you or a team member could work on, fantastic! The first step in growth is recognizing the opportunity to hone skills and develop strategies for success.