Attributes - Expected behaviour

Note: Progression of the scale - provided as an example as this is only one of many ways in which a skill can evolve.

Strategic and analytical thinking and creative problem solving

Understands, analyzes, synthesizes, and relates complex information; responds to challenges with innovative solutions, by questioning conventional means.

Progression of scale: From individual alignment to future thinking and broader impact and alignment with departmental and Government of Canada priorities.

• Strategic and analytical thinking
  • Demonstrates good analytical skills and judgement when faced with challenging situations.
  • Creates and tests hypotheses, approaches and/or models to explain situations or issues.
  • Plans and adjusts work based on a thorough understanding of business priorities, and seeks clarification and direction when uncertain.
  • Considers multiple sources of information before formulating a view or opinion.
  • Correctly identifies cause and effect relationships; identifies trends and patterns as well as pros and cons in a situation.
  • Identifies gaps and missing information.
  • Exercises sound judgment and obtains relevant facts before making decisions.
  • Analyzes setbacks and seeks feedback to learn from mistakes.
• Creative problem solving
  • Recognizes when a situation calls for a different approach.
  • Recognizes possible risks; perceives, analyzes, and communicates risk factors.
  • Takes into considerations current policies, frameworks, and/or processes, respectfully challenges the conventional approach.
  • Is open-minded when presented with a new perspective.
  • Questions traditional assumptions and solutions.
  • Identifies outcomes that benefit partners.

Engagement, collaboration and client-focus

Builds and sustains strong and effective working relationships, and works cooperatively and effectively within and across organizational units to achieve common goals; demonstrates effective communication, is a team player; identifies and responds to client needs and provides service that meets or exceeds clients’ expectations.

Progression of scale: Degree and effectiveness of support given to team efforts and level of implication and participation; and depth of understanding and response to the clients’ needs.

• Building and sustaining strong relationships
  • Establishes and maintains solid relationships with others, and recognizes opportunities to enhance outcomes through partnerships.
  • Builds and maintains trust by being consistent in word and action.
  • Participates actively as a team player by sharing information with others and participates in various teams’ activities.
  • Coordinates efforts with stakeholders to ensure awareness.
  • Listens actively to others to understand perspectives and needs of stakeholders, and is easily approachable and receptive to new information and different points of view.
• Client-focus
  • Analyzes the context/issues/culture/norms surrounding the client, and considers the impact that their comments could have within the context.
  • Articulates the desire to better understand the cultural norms/expectations of the client in a respectful manner.
  • Ensures greater trust and credibility with the client by proposing ideas, keeping in mind the cultural norms/beliefs.
  • Takes various approaches to ensure effective communication with the client.
  • Meets partners’ and clients’ needs by responding to requests, inquiries, and complaints efficiently and effectively.
  • Keeps client informed on progress of projects.

Self-management

Is reliable, flexible, and demonstrates initiative by effective planning, organizing, and managing time and activities to deliver high quality and efficient performance.

Progression of scale: From remaining calm and restraining impulses to maintaining effectiveness in the face of stress factors.

• Reliability
  • Pursues operational efficiencies, demonstrating an appreciation of the importance of value for money, including by willingly adopting new and more efficient ways of working.
  • Plans for contingencies to deal with unexpected events or setbacks.
  • Makes needed adjustments to timelines, steps, and resource allocation.
  • Communicates changes or potential challenges to supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Flexibility and initiative
  • Maintains a constructive attitude in the face of change, setbacks, or stressful situations, and remains open to new solutions or approaches.
  • Embraces change and actively looks for opportunities to learn and develop professionally and personally.
  • Contributes to and participates in process improvements and new approaches.
• Planning and organizing
  • Stays informed of team goals, work processes and performance objectives.
  • Translates direction into concrete work activities, making the most of available time and resources.
  • Communicates ideas, views, and concerns effectively and respectfully, and actively participates in exchanges of ideas with others.
  • Identifies early warning signs of potential problems, and informs/briefs management and other stakeholders, as needed.

Integrity and respect

Treats every person with respect, dignity, and fairness; values diversity; works in a spirit of openness, honesty, and transparency; contributes to a safe and healthy work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.

Progression of scale: Impact and level of efforts associated with living the values.

• Behaves consistently with the organization and the Federal Public Service Values and Ethics codes.
• Discusses ethical concerns with manager and/or colleagues and, when necessary, seeks out and uses appropriate disclosure procedures.
• Works in a manner that reflects a commitment to client service excellence.
• Actively contributes to workplace well-being and a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace.
• Supports and values diversity and bilingualism.
• Acts with transparency and fairness.
• Demonstrates respect for government assets and resources, and uses them responsibly, including by understanding and applying relevant government policies.

Sound judgement

Objectively assesses a situation by collecting information, determining its relevance, and applying experience to assess impacts on the course of actions and recommends and/or makes a decision.

Progression of scale: Rise in the complexity of the casual thinking, and level of insightfulness and innovation, and impact on the organization.

• Gathers and analyses information and organizes it into a cohesive whole to get a thorough understanding of a situation/file.
• Analyzes information from a variety of sources to draw clear and logical conclusions, makes multiple logical links to find explanations for events, and to adequately lead to a reasoned decision or appropriate course of action.
• Demonstrates sound judgment when analyzing and interpreting information and when using rational, objective, and unbiased approaches in the development of proper recommendations, identification of courses of action, and/or in establishing the tracing of implications of a situation in a step-by-step manner.

Communication

Communicates in a compelling, honest, persuasive, effective, and articulate manner, considering the audience to whom the information is communicated; ensures the message is clear, understood, and consistent with the organization’s objectives.

Progression of scale: From some degree of familiarity in the delivery and the presentation of a subject to the complete mastery of delivering the message.

• Oral
  • Communicates in a clear and concise manner, and is easily understood.
  • Develops and presents ideas in logical, prescribed, and reasonable sequence.
  • Presents accurate and complete information.
  • Uses appropriate vocabulary using plain language, with minimal to no error.
• Written
  • Provides clear text that can easily be understood.
  • Develops, arranges, and presents text in a logical sequence, in which ideas are well-developed.
  • Meets communication objectives and provides relevant and accurate material.
  • Uses proper vocabulary with limited grammatical and spelling errors.

Thoroughness

Is conscientious of details and ensures quality of work; strives to exceed standards and expectations.

Progression of scale: Sophistication and completeness of meeting and/or surpassing quality standards.

• Monitors quality of work, ensuring all steps of the workplan/critical path of a project are followed accurately, and that requirements are addressed to the fullest.
• Undertakes the necessary research to confirm the validity of data and accuracy of work; focused on accuracy and quality, ensuring that quality standards are met or surpassed; and is conscientious in taking care of details.
• Makes sure that despite concurring expectations/activities/priorities, nothing falls through the cracks.
• Shows initiative and resourcefulness to solve problems and ensures that quality work outputs are produced on time and maximized within the limits of available resources.
• Anticipates situations that are prone to errors, and has back-up procedures or plans in place to reduce potential occurrences.