6 Future Ready Skills

6 Future Ready Skills of NAF

COLLABORATION

• Encourages the ideas, opinions, and contributions of others, leveraging individual strengths

• Provides feedback in a manner that is sensitive to others’ situation and feelings

• Clarifies areas of disagreement/conflict that need to be addressed to achieve a common goal

• Seeks to obtain resolution of disagreements/conflicts to achieve a common goal

Also referred to as: accountability, cooperation, helpfulness, leadership, participation, conflict resolution, teamwork

COMMUNICATION

• Organizes information that serves the purpose of the message, context, and audience

• Uses and adjusts communication strategies as needed based on the purpose of the message, context, and audience

• Signals listening according to the rules/norms of the context and audience

• Seeks input to gauge others’ understanding of the message

• Asks questions to deepen and/or clarify one’s understanding when listening to others

Also referred to as: listening, negotiation, persuasion, presentation, verbal communication, written communication

PROBLEM-SOLVING

• Defines problems by considering all potential parts and related causes

• Gathers and organizes relevant information about a problem from multiple sources

• Generates potential solutions to a problem, seeking and leveraging diverse perspectives

• Identifies alternative ideas/processes that are more effective than the ones previously used/suggested

• Evaluates the advantages and disadvantages associated with each potential solution identified for a problem

• Selects and implements the best solution based on evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of each potential solution

Also referred to as: creative, critical thinking, decision-making, innovative, process-oriented, strategic

INITIATIVE & SELF-DIRECTION

• Demonstrates awareness of own abilities and performance

• Seeks knowledge and information proactively to build understanding and anticipate what is needed

• Needs minimal supervision to complete tasks

• Attempts to complete tasks independently before asking for help

• Follows rules/directions as required by the task/situation

• Maintains focus on tasks despite internal and/or external distractions

• Strives to overcome barriers or setbacks, seeking assistance when needed

• Adapts approach in response to new conditions or others’ actions

Also referred to as: adaptable, agile, dedicated, focus, grit, motivated, optimism, perseverance, persistent, project management, self-discipline, work ethic

SOCIAL AWARENESS

• Demonstrates integrity and situational ethics

• Recognizes the consequences of one's actions

• Balances own needs with the needs of others

• Takes into consideration others' situation/feelings

• Develops and implements strategies for navigating in different cultures/contexts

Also referred to as: appreciation, code-switching, cultural competence, diversity, empathy, emotional intelligence, ethics, fit, global awareness, perceptive, responsibility, social intelligence, social skills

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

• Sets and prioritizes goals that reflect a self-awareness of one’s capabilities, interests, emotions, and/or needs

• Breaks goals into actionable steps

• Accurately estimates level of effort and establishes realistic timelines

• Manages time to complete tasks on schedule

• Applies existing/newly acquired knowledge, skills, and/or strategies that one determines to be

• useful for achieving goals

• Monitors progress and own performance, adjusting approach as necessary

• Demonstrates a belief that one’s own actions are associated with goal attainment

Also referred to as: ambition, assertive, goal-setting, impulse control, mastery-focused goals, metacognitive strategies, motivation, multi-task, plan, punctual, preparedness, self-regulation, self-reliance, time management