Core Competencies: Communication

The Communication Core Competency has two interrelated sub-competencies:

Communicating encompasses the set of abilities that people use to impart and exchange information, experiences, and ideas; to explore the world around them; and to understand and effectively use communication forms, strategies, and technologies. Communicating provides a bridge between peoples’ learning, their personal and social identity, and the world in which they interact.

People who communicate effectively use their skills and strategies intentionally to ensure understanding their audience. They communicate in an increasing variety of contexts, for a variety of purposes, and often with multiple audiences.

Collaborating involves the skills, strategies, and dispositions that people use to work together to pursue common purposes and accomplish common goals.

People who collaborate effectively recognize how combining others’ perspectives, strategies, and efforts with their own enhances collective understanding, use, and impact. They value the contributions of group members, interact supportively and effectively using inclusive practices, and strive for shared commitment and mutual benefit.

In a safe and supported environment, I respond meaningfully to communication from peers and adults.

In familiar settings, I communicate with peers and adults.

I talk and listen to people I know.

I can communicate for a purpose.

I can understand and share basic information about topics that are important to me, and answer simple, direct questions about my activities and experiences.

I communicate purposefully, using forms and strategies I have practiced.

I participate in conversations for a variety of purposes (e.g., to connect, help, be friendly, learn and share).

I listen and respond to others.

I can consider my purpose when I am choosing a form and content.

I can communicate clearly about topics I know and understand well, using forms and strategies I have practiced.

I gather the basic information I need and present it.

I communicate clearly and purposefully, using a variety of forms appropriately.

I share my ideas and try to connect them with others’ ideas.

I am an active listener – I make connections and ask clarifying and extending questions when appropriate.

I can plan ways to make my message clear and engaging for my audience and create communications that focus on a variety of purposes and audiences.

I acquire the information I need for specific tasks and for my own interests and present it clearly.

I communicate confidently, using forms and strategies that show attention to my audience and purpose.             

In discussions and conversations, I am focused and help to build and extend understanding.

I am an engaged listener; I ask thought-provoking questions when appropriate and integrate new information.

I can create a wide range of effective communications that feature powerful images and words, and I identify ways to change my communications to make them effective for different audiences.

I use my understanding of the role and impact of story to engage my audiences in making meaning.

I acquire information about complex and specialized topics from various sources, synthesize it, and present it with thoughtful analysis.

I communicate with intentional impact, in well-constructed forms that are effective in terms of my audience and in relation to my purpose.

I contribute purposefully to discussions and conversations.

I synthesize, deepen, and transform my own and others’ thinking.

I can weave multiple messages into my communications; I understand that my audience will use their own knowledge and experiences in making meaning.

I show understanding and control of the forms and technologies I use; I can assess audience response and draw on a repertoire of strategies to increase my intended impact.

I can acquire, critically analyze, and integrate well-chosen information from a range of sources.

In familiar situations, I cooperate with others for specific purposes.

I contribute during group activities, cooperate with others, and listen respectfully to their ideas.

I can work with others for a specific purpose.

I contribute during group activities with peers and share roles and responsibilities to achieve goals.

I take on different roles and tasks in the group and work respectfully and safely in our shared space.

I express my ideas and help others feel comfortable to share theirs so that all voices are included.

I work with others to achieve a common goal and can evaluate our group processes and results.

I can confidently interact and build relationships with other group members to further shared goals.

I can identify and apply roles and strategies to facilitate groupwork.

I draw on past experiences to negotiate and develop group processes.

I am an active listener and speaker.

I share my ideas and try to connect them with others’ ideas, I ask clarifying questions and check for understanding when appropriate, and I test my ideas with others and consider their input.

I help resolve conflicts and challenges as they arise.

I recognize how my contributions and those of others complement each other.

I can plan with others and adjust our plan according to the group’s purpose.

I can facilitate group processes and encourage collective responsibility for our progress.

I play a role in collectively monitoring the progress of the group and adjust my contributions as needed.

I recognize the interdependence of our roles and draw on these to move us forward.

I ask thought-provoking questions, integrate new information and various perspectives from others, and think critically about whose voices are missing.

I can disagree respectfully, and I anticipate potential conflicts and help manage them when they arise.

I give, receive, and act on constructive feedback in support of our goals, and I can evaluate and revise plans with other group members.

I can connect my group with other groups and broader networks for various purposes.

I can step outside of my comfort zone to develop working relationships with unfamiliar groups. I develop and coordinate networking partnerships beyond and in service of the group.

I demonstrate my commitment to the group’s purpose by taking on different roles as needed.

I acknowledge different perspectives and seek out and create space for missing or marginalized voices.

I summarize key themes to identify commonalities and focus on deepening or transforming our collective thinking and actions.

I recognize when wisdom and strategies from others are needed and access these to address complex goals.

I help create connections with other groups or networks to further our common goals and our impact.