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The Personal Foundations competency area involves the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to maintain emotional, physical, social, environmental, relational, spiritual, and intellectual wellness; be self-directed and self-reflective; maintain excellence and integrity in work; be comfortable with ambiguity; be aware of one's own areas of strength and growth; have a passion for work; and remain curious.
Basic
One should be able to
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identify key elements of one's set of personal beliefs and commitments (e.g., values, morals, goals, desires, self-definitions), as well as the source of each (e.g., self, peers, family, or one or more larger communities);
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identify one's primary work responsibilities and, with appropriate ongoing feedback, craft a realistic, summative self-appraisal of one's strengths and limitations;
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describe the importance of one's professional and personal life to self, and recognize the intersection of each;
- articulate awareness and understanding of one's attitudes, values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and identity as it affects one's work with others; and take responsibility to develop personal cultural skills by participating in activities that challenge one's beliefs;
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recognize and articulate healthy habits for better living;
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articulate an understanding that wellness is a broad concept comprised of emotional, physical, social, environmental, relational, spiritual, and intellectual elements;
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identify and describe personal and professional responsibilities inherent to excellence;
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articulate meaningful goals for one's work;
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identify positive and negative effects on psychological wellness and, as appropriate, seek assistance from available resources; and
- recognize the importance of reflection in personal and professional development.
Intermediate
One should be able to
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identify the present and future utility of key elements in one's set of personal beliefs and commitments;
- recognize needs and opportunities for continued growth;
- identify sources of dissonance and fulfillment in one's life and take appropriate steps in response;
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recognize the effect between one's professional and personal life, and develop plans to manage any related concerns;
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articulate an understanding of others' attitudes, values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and identity as they affect one's work;
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identify and employ resources to improve one's own wellness;
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analyze the effect one's health and wellness has on others, as well as the responsibility of individuals to create mutual, positive relationships;
- explain the process for executing responsibilities dutifully and thoughtfully;
- define excellence for one's self and evaluate how one's sense of excellence affects self and others;
- bolster one's psychological resiliency, including participating in stress-management activities, engaging in personal or spiritual exploration, and building healthier relationships in and out of the workplace; and
- analyze personal experiences for potential deeper learning and growth, and engage with others in reflective discussions.
Advanced
One should be able to
- refashion personal beliefs and commitments in a way that is true to one's own self while recognizing the contributions of important others (e.g., self, peers, family, or one or more larger communities);
- attend not only to immediate areas of growth, but also those areas relating to one's anticipated career trajectory;
- seek environments and collaborations that provide adequate challenge such that personal development is promoted, and provide sufficient support such that development is possible;
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mediate incongruencies between one's professional life and one's personal life;
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serve as a role model and mentor by sharing personal experiences and nurturing others' competency in this area, and assist colleagues in achieving work–life balance;
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create and implement an individualized plan for healthy living;
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exercise mutuality within relationships;
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critique others' sense of excellence, taking measures to encourage and inspire exceptional work in self and others;
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construct plans and systems to ensure excellence in self and others;
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demonstrate awareness of the psychological wellness of others in the workplace, and seek to engage with colleagues in a way that supports such wellness;
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transfer thoughtful reflection into positive future action; and
- design naturally occurring reflection processes within one's everyday work.