Last week we explored the first three clusters of the Competencies for Life model and took a deeper look into the Problem Solving, Self-Reliance and Collaboration clusters. Developing these enabling competencies shown in the Competencies for Life model will not only help you adapt and adopt new job-specific competencies, but it will help power every Calgarian in the new economy. With our help, you can create a plan to start developing these competencies better and faster. Today, we are looking into the final three clusters of the Competencies for Life model which includes Communication, Core Literacies and Core Workplace Skills.
Communication is important because it’s what allows us to give and receive information with other people, both in personal and professional environments. It is how you build and sustain relationships, as well as build bridges between people with diverse viewpoints. It allows you and others to understand information more accurately and quickly, while avoiding misunderstandings and frustration.
The enabling competencies included in the Communications cluster include: Active Listening, Effective Verbal Communication and Effective Writing.
Active Listening is your ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, it is taking the time to understand points being made and asking questions when appropriate, without interrupting at improper times. For example, “I take customers’ orders, then repeat it back to them for clarification.”
Effective Verbal Communication is your ability to share information and explanations with a target audience by speaking in a persuasive and influential way. This includes vocabulary, tone, pace, volume, and articulation, with or without, technological support. For example, “I share ideas in a meeting on how the company can be more inclusive.”
An Effective Writer is the ability to share information and explanations with a target audience in writing in a persuasive, engaging, and influential way. This includes grammar, tone, vocabulary, and style. For example, “I write in a personal journal.”
Next, the Core Literacies cluster. Core Literacies are important because it allows you to access and understand available information to remain current with trends within your community and workplace. Core literacy competencies also mean maintaining the ability to engage in professional processes more efficiently while promoting an identity that is willing to participate.
The enabling competencies included in the Core Literacies cluster includes: Reading Literacy, being Good with Numbers, having Financial Literacy, Civic Literacy, and Technology Literacy.
Reading Literacy is the ability to comprehend, apply and reflect on written texts. For example, “I read a job description to better understand what the requirements are before applying.”
Being Good with Numbers is both the knowledge of and the ability to work with and use numbers as well as have the confidence and awareness to know when and how to apply quantitative and spatial understandings at home, at school, at work or in the community. For example, “I can effectively estimate in my head the cost of my groceries.”
Having Financial Literacy is both the knowledge of and the ability to make informed decisions on the allocation of financial resources. It includes areas such as personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. For example, “I ring through transactions and make returns, both in-store and online.”
Having Civic Literacy is both the knowledge of and the ability to effectively engage in, and influence change in social systems, including political, economic, and cultural. For example, “I write letters to local Councillors, MLAs, and MPs voicing my concerns with government action.”
Having Technology Literacy is both the knowledge of, and the ability to effectively use technology to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create, and communicate information in a digital environment. For example, “I use the Calgary Transit app to better understand the routes and plan out how long it takes to get to work.”
Finally, the Core Workplace Skills Cluster. This cluster is important because an investment in your learning and development, as well as the organization you work for, ensures the best talent outcomes. To keep your knowledge current and stay ahead of changes, you need to be continuously growing and learning from experiences. It also means being organized to increase efficiency with completing tasks to save time and money. The final enabling competencies included in this cluster are: Defining Workplace Goals, Managing People and Money, Professional Identity, Time Management, and Continuous Learning.
Defining Workplace Goals is the capacity to define future goals, objectives, and outcomes at an individual and organizational level and to use these goals to serve as motivators for the present action. For example, “I establish sales targets and plan to achieve them.”
Managing People and Money is the ability to achieve organizational goals through management of financial and human resources. This includes identifying and managing risk. For example, “I delegate tasks, lead meetings, and determine the budget required to complete a project.”
Professional Identity is one's self-concept based on attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and experiences. Professional identity plays a critical role in the transition between school and work. For example, “I attend webinars with industry professionals to better understand what paths one can take post-graduation.”
Time Management is the ability to efficiently and effectively manage one’s own time, the time of others, and deliverables for projects. It also includes the ability to manage and filter vast levels of information to make timely decisions. For example, “I juggle many commitments such as school, a team sport, clubs, and my job. I make schedules to visually lay out proper time for each.”
Continuous Learning is about expanding an individual's ability to learn by regularly upgrading skills and knowledge. Effective continuous learning skills are essential to adapting to changing demands at home and work. In the workplace, this involves recognizing and reflecting on experiences as critical learning experiences. For example, “I listen to a podcast to better understand emerging trends in your business.”
If you want to learn more about these important enabling competencies, you can visit the Competencies for Life website at www.CompetenciesforLife.ca. Our website includes a robust library of tools and resources that can be accessed to start developing your competencies. We want Calgary to develop talent better and faster than any other city, but in order to do so, we must be adaptable in this changing world around us. That’s why we must align on a common language that describes these enabling competencies. To learn more about the Competencies for Life model and our library of tools please visit www.CompetenciesforLife.ca.
