COMPETENCIES & BEHAVIORS DEFINED
PEOPLE COMPETENCIES
#1 Building Collaborative Relationships:
The ability to establish, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside, or outside, of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) organization, who can provide helpful information, assistance, and support.
- Asks others of their personal experiences, finds out their interests, seeks proper advice,
etc.
- Shows an interest in what others have to say − acknowledges others’
views, perspectives, and ideas.
- Shows appreciation and expresses gratitude to others who have provided information,
assistance, and support.
- Provides assistance, information, and support to others, to build a basis for
potential reciprocity (ex: organizational clubs).
#2 Diversity and Inclusion:
The active, intentional, and continuous engagement with those who may be different, in many ways, from yourself. This includes engaging with those of different socio-economic status, class, gender, sexual orientation, political preference, religion, etc.
- Understands the concepts of different cultural values, behaviors, and norms.
- Adapts his or her communication style(s), if/when needed, to be an effective
communicator.
- Is able to judge cultural difference matters at hand and can resolve issues that may
arise.
- Exhibits him/her self in a culturally competent manner and is able to interact and
include others when appropriate.
- Participates in community events in order to promote social responsibility and
citizenship.
#3 Empowering Others:
Encouraging and guiding one’s colleagues in order to make his/her performance more effective and enhance his/her self-perception and problem-solving sills.
- He/she is willing, and able, to let others make decisions and take charge when needed.
- Encourages individuals and department(s) to set their own goals that are consistent with
The University of Southern Mississippi's (USM) goals.
- Expresses his/her confidence in others' ability to be successful.
#4 Fostering Teamwork:
As a University of Southern Mississippi (USM) staff employee, the ability and desire to work cooperatively with other USM employees as a team.
- Establishes productive relationships
Establishes trust with each and every USM employee despite potential differences.
Engages with others in order to foster personal growth and professional development.
Takes full responsibility for his/her words and actions.
Accepts and welcomes each and every employee.
Uses open and honest communication.
- Provides assistance to others when they need it
Offers to help others without someone(s) having to ask for it.
- Meets team objectives
Actively works with fellow USM colleagues to ensure team objectives
are being met (and exceeded).
- Resolves conflicts
Is able to identify the problem(s).
Is able to locate, gather, and organize relevant information pertaining to the issue(s).
Is able to generate alternatives.
Is able to compromise (if/when appropriate)/choose a solution.
Is able to implement the solution if/when appropriate.
#5 Influencing Others:
The ability to gain others’ support for ideas, proposals, projects, and solutions.
- Actively involves others in a process and/or decision to ensure their support.
- Identifies and proposes a solution that benefits all parties involved in a
particular situation.
- Seeks out and builds relationships with others who can provide helpful
information, intelligence, career support, potential business, and all other
forms of help.
- Takes a personal interest in others to develop and maintain relationships.
#6 Managing Performance:
Takes responsibility for one’s own performance by setting clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against goals, ensuring feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.
- With his/her boss, sets specific, measurable goals that are realistic yet
challenging, with assigned dates for accomplishment (“SMART” goals).
- With his/her boss, clarifies desired expectations about what will be done
and how it will be done.
- Enlists his/her boss’ support in obtaining the information, resources, and
training needed to accomplish his/her work effectively.
- Promptly notifies his/her boss about any problem(s) that may affect
his/her ability to accomplish desired goals.
#7 Oral Communication:
Expressing oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others.
- Speaks clearly and thoroughly so one can be easily understood.
- Organizes thoughts and ideas clearly through oral speech.
- Maintains appropriate eye contact when speaking to/with others.
- Summarizes his/her understanding of what others have said to verify the
information provided in order to prevent any misunderstanding (miscommunication).
#8 Written Communication:
The ability to express thoughts and ideas clearly to others in the form of writing.
- Is able to structure sentences clearly and correctly.
- Is able to provide sufficient information through writing that can be easily understood.
- He/she is able to adjust his/her writing style and vocabulary to the
intended audience.
- Is able to use spelling and grammar properly.
BUSINESS COMPETENCIES
#1 Business Fundamentals:
The basic skills that are needed to address the various aspects of running an organization
– this includes both the understanding of structures and functions of an organization.
- Is able to effectively manage job-related finances in given role (if/when applicable).
- Is willing and able to perform other job duties as assigned depending on
business needs.
- Knows the overall structure of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and
is able to answer appropriate questions someone(s) outside of the organization may
have (ex: “Do you know which college the Department of Human Capital Development
falls under?”).
#2 Creative Thinking:
The ability to come up with original and innovative ideas and solutions, to adopt points-of-view outside the usual parameters.
- Is able to see the “big picture”.
- Employs unique analyses; is able to embrace the diversity of others' thoughts and ideas.
- Generates innovative solutions.
#3 Critical and Analytical Thinking:
Using logical thought processes to analyze information and draw conclusions.
- Reasoning
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from
groups of managers, faculty members, students, and the general public.
- Mental Agility
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals,
professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations if/when needed (if
applicable)
Ability to promptly write reports, business correspondence, and procedure
manuals, if/when needed (if applicable).
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using
whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
#4 Customer Orientation/Focus:
The ability and willingness to figure out what the customer wants/needs while taking the organization’s costs, benefits, and risks into consideration.
- Understands customer needs
Is able to identify internal and external customers (University of Southern Mississippi employees and prospective students).
Asks appropriate questions to identify customer needs, interests, and goals.
Is able to anticipate the future needs of the customer.
- Provides personalized service
Provides prompt and efficient personalized assistance to meet the
requirements, requests, and concerns of all internal and external customers.
Provides thorough, accurate information to answer customers’ questions, and
inform them of commitment times and/or performance expectations that may be
required of him/her.
Addresses customers' comments, questions, and objections in a direct, accurate,
and timely manner.
- Keeps customers informed
Informs those that will be affected by a decision(s) and lets he/she know what is
happening/what is expected to happen.
Makes certain that all employees have the accurate and necessary information to pass
along if/when needed.
Adjusts applicable service(s) based on internal and/or external customer feedback.
#5 Initiative:
The ability to recognize and actively create opportunities and to act on them accordingly, rather than start something and passively wait for that something to happen.
- Persisting
Makes sure what needs to be completed is completed.
- Takes initiative
Exceeds expectations – does more than what is required of him/her self
before being asked to do so.
Thinks of him/her self as a team member– not just a “staff” employee of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
Speak ups and shares his/her ideas and suggestions.
Is always prepared.
- Sets challenging, attainable goals
Sets SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound).
Makes an action plan and shares it with his/her boss.
Discusses goals with boss on a quarterly basis (and/or sooner than that if needed).
- Works independently
Is able to be self-aware, self-monitoring, and self-correcting.
Does what is asked of him/her to the best of his/her ability.
Does not solely rely on others/others’ opinions when an assignment is assigned to
him/her individually.
#6 Thoroughness:
Ensures that his/her work is complete and accurate.
- Organizational Skills
Is able to prioritize assigned tasks/assignments accordingly.
Is able to anticipate what resources are necessary before tackling a project.
- Quality control
Continuously monitors a task/project to make sure it is being completed
properly.
- Verification
Makes sure a task has been completed correctly.
#7 Visionary:
Abides by the vision of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM): "The University of Southern Mississippi aspires to be a model student-centered public research university that prepares students to thrive in a global society by providing high quality programs and transformative experiences in a community distinguished by inclusiveness."
- Is able to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of institutional processes and
systems.
- Supports student success to foster retention, progression, and graduation.
- Promotes teaching, research, and creative excellence.
SELF-MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
#1 Accountability:
Being held responsible (accountable) for one's self and passing on the idea of responsibility (accountability) to other employees of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
- He/she follows-through with his/her commitments.
- He/she does not place the blame on others when he/she is perceived to be in the wrong.
- He/she is able to recognize the impact of his/her behavior and how it impacts others.
#2 Adaptability and Flexibility:
The ability to remain entirely functional when adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures, people), along with being able to change one's behavior style and/or views in order to attain a goal.
- Entertains new ideas/suggestions.
- Is able to manage/handle change.
#3 Confidentiality:
Not telling anyone(s) anything that may be considered private, secret, and/or sensitive information. This includes those within and outside of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) organization.
- Maintains sensitive information including but not limited to business and employee information.
#4 Dependability and Reliability:
The capability of being trusted and depended on (reliable).
- Fulfills obligations
- Notable attendance and punctuality
- Attentive to details
- Follows given directions
#5 Integrity:
Adherence to the standards, values, and rules of conduct associated with one's position and culture of The University of Southern Mississippi - to be incorruptible.
- Behaves ethically
- Acts fairly
- Treats everyone with respect
- Takes responsibility for one's actions
#6 Lifelong Learning:
The ability to identify long-range goals and design realistic plans to attain them; the ability to see the "big picture" and then determine what direction(s) to take and how to utilize available resources to attain these goals.
- Demonstrates an interest in learning
Seeks individual input and feedback from others.
- Actively participates in learning and development activities.
- Is able to identify career interests/advancement opportunities.
#7 Professionalism:
The expertness/professional characteristic of a person.
- Demonstrates self-control
Stays calm and empathetic when dealing with internal and external "less than desirable" customers.
- Professional appearance
Abides to all personal appearance standards/regulations held by The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) employee handbook.
Shows awareness of the consequences of one's choices, decisions, and actions to The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) organization as a whole.
- Social responsibility
Is pleasant, courteous, and professional when handling internal and external customers.
- Maintains a positive attitude
Maintains a positive, upbeat attitude regardless of the circumstance/given situation.
#8 Result-Oriented:
Focuses on desired results and gets the job done accordingly.
- Seeks out better alternatives in order to increase the chance of positive results.
- Is able to identify risks and then minimize them (if possible).
- Is able to respond to setbacks promptly and with a positive attitude.
#9 Self Confidence:
The ability to develop and maintain inner strength based on the desire to succeed - a person's belief that he/she posses the capabilities that are needed to succeed.
- Posses the strength to take risks.
- Positions oneself as an expert leader (when applicable/appropriate).
- Has the ability to behave constructively under any given circumstance/situation.
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