Common strength | How it presents at work | Communication | Written communication skill evident in reports, correspondence. Verbal communication skills evident in presentations, managing conflict, selling, dealing with customers, active listening, meeting participation and negotiation. | Strong work ethic/diligent | Hard working, works extra hours, completes projects before time, takes on more than others, does more than required, maintains a high quality of work, imposes own standards of excellence, works without supervision, follows up on own. | Organizational and planning skills | Evident in time management, prioritizing, using resources effectively, meeting deadlines, multi-tasking, dealing with competing demands, achieving objectives and goals, setting targets, maintaining schedules and calendars, optimal use of available resources, coordination of resources to complete projects. | Flexible and adaptable | Able to change activities and priorities to meet new demands, willing to learn new skills and knowledge, make a positive effort to accept changes, able to work and communicate effectively with diverse people, willing to work in different environments, willing to attempt new tasks. | Decision-making/judgment | Gather the necessary information to make a sound decision, come up with viable alternatives, consider pros and cons for each, fully commit to the best action, follow through on decision. | Problem solving | Able to identify and define problems, analyze problems to find causes, find possible solutions, consider the possible outcomes of each solution, decide on the best solution and implement it. | Gathering, analyzing and managing information | Collect required information efficiently from different sources, integrate information and put it together in a logical format, process information, identify trends and patterns, distribute and communicate information correctly, store and maintain information efficiently. | Coaching/mentoring | Willing and able to coach others, enable and facilitate learning, impart knowledge, help people to identify and achieve what they are capable of, assess training and learning needs, develop appropriate learning interventions, adapt teaching/coaching style to meet employee's needs. | Team work | Work effectively in a team, contribute to team objectives, communicate effectively with team members, respect, listen to and encourage team members, pitch in, put success of team ahead of individual success. | Reliable/dependable | Consistent work performance, complete projects accurately and within deadlines, arriving on time, fulfilling obligations, following through on commitments, checks own work, corrects own work, complies with workplace policies and procedures, takes responsibility for own actions. |

Common strength | How it presents at work | Self reliant/ self management | Uses own resources, skills and abilities fully, accountable for own activity, progress and success, manages self towards goals, completes projects and activities independently, obtains own help and assistance, internally motivated and does not seek external rewards for good performance. | Self discipline | Controls own behavior, self-motivated, prepared to work hard to achieve goals, sets own targets, avoids distractions, perseveres with difficult tasks and activities, does not procrastinate, continues with projects in the face of obstacles and challenges. | Persistent/resilient | Handle disappointment, deal effectively with rejection, stay enthusiastic after a set back, maintain work performance despite difficulties, accept criticism, bounce back quickly, overcome obstacles to achieve, keep trying until task is completed. | Persuasive | Evident in selling, customer management, negotiating, dealing with objections, getting agreement/commitment from co-workers/management, presenting ideas, motivating people, gaining the confidence of others. | Integrity | Maintain confidentiality, provide complete and accurate information, observe company policies and procedures, comply with regulations, maintain values and ethics in the face of opposition and pressure. | Energetic | Works long hours, maintains fast work pace, tackles challenging tasks, stays positive, takes on extra tasks, maintains high productivity levels, tenacious in achieving goals. | Initiative | Proactive attempts to sort out problems and issues, provide ideas for improvement, make full use of opportunities, identify needs and come up with solutions, take steps to make your job and the company better. |

Weakness in the workplace | How it can be managed | ProcrastinationMisses deadlines, always rushing at the last minute to complete tasks, asking for help to complete activities, appearing unprepared for meetings, low productivity. | Recognize the cause of the procrastination. If it is because a task seems too overwhelming then break it into smaller, more manageable activities and set target times and deadlines for completing each activity. If it is because you lack confidence in your ability to do the task then ask for help and find resources to assist you. | ImpatienceFrustration with co workers who perform at a slower pace or to a lower standard than you expect of yourself. Doesn't accept mistakes easily. | Recognize people have different work standards and different levels of productivity. See it from their point of view. Provide constructive feedback in a pleasant way and offer help to move the project forward. | Reluctance to delegate or share tasksDoes not assign tasks to others, appears to lack confidence in co-workers, doesn't fully utilize the skills and resources of other staff members, checks up on others. | Admit that others can do the work as well as you. Accept that mistakes may be made but they can be rectified. Learn to trust other's abilities. Clarify what has to be done. Put support mechanisms in place to minimize the chance of failure. | UnassertiveReluctant to speak up and contribute in group situations. Agrees with others despite own feelings. Allows others to take advantage. Difficulty in saying "no". Puts other's needs ahead of own. | Read books and undertake training courses on how to be assertive. Practice suggested techniques. Practice strategies for saying no to unreasonable demands. Practice making requests and asking for what you need. Use assertive body language to get your message across. | CautiousAdverse to taking risks and trying new things, difficulty in accepting change, gathers all facts and continually reviews all details before making a decision or starting on a task. Over-analyzes outcomes. | Practice increasing pace of communication and activity. Be open to new ideas. Avoid over-attending to details and focus on the big picture. Learn to trust other people's judgment. Set yourself specific time frames for reviewing information and getting started on a project. | Uncompromising/stubbornInflexible, difficulty in adapting to changes, resistant to different ideas, one way communication. | Be open to different ideas and listen to opinions that conflict with your own. Take time to consider an idea or change and not just immediately dismiss it. Actively ask for people's contributions and feedback. | Strong willed/controllingSingle minded on own goal achievement, does not take direction easily, can be insensitive to feelings and needs of others, wants to be in charge. Tries to control other people's activities. | Increase self awareness of how one is perceived by other staff members. Actively listen when given feedback and direction. Focus on building relationships as well as task achievement. Consider other people's needs. | TalkativeDistracting and distracted, indiscreet, does not get the job done, wastes time, often away from desk. | Stay at desk and do not move around office unnecessarily, have a specific work-related purpose for going over to a co-worker, set aside a specific time to chat with co-workers such as lunch break, stick to the facts when communicating and do not get off the point, learn to listen more. |