21st Century Skills

THE FOUNDATION SKILLS

by Lawrence K. Jones, Ph.D., NCC

The 17 Foundation Skills are those required of all workers in the high-performance workplace of the 21st century. They are grouped into four clusters:

BASIC SKILLS

Reading:

1. Identify relevant details, facts, and

   specification in what is being read;

2. Locate information in books and manuals,

   from graphs and schedules;

3. Find meaning of unknown or technical words

   and phrases;

4. Judge accuracy of reports; and

5. Use computer to find information.

Writing:

1. Communicate thoughts, ideas, information,

   and messages in writing;

2. Record information completely and accurately;

3. Create documents, including letters, manuals,

   reports and graphs;

4. Check, edit, and revise documents for correct

   information, appropriate emphasis, grammar,

   spelling, and punctuation; and

5. Use computers to communicate information.

Mathematics:

1. Use numbers, fractions, and percentages to

   solve practical problems;

2. Make reasonable estimates of arithmetic

   results without calculator;

3. Use tables, graphs, diagrams, and charts to

   obtain numerical information;

4. Use computers to enter, retrieve, change, and

   communicate numerical information; and

5. Use computers to communicate data, choosing

   the best form to present data (e.g., line or bar

   graph, pie charts).

Speaking:

1. Organize ideas and communicate oral

   messages appropriate to listener and situations;

2. Select appropriate language, tone or voice,

   gestures, and level of complexity appropriate

   to audience and occasion;

3. Speak clearly; ask questions when needed.

Listening:

     1. Listen carefully to what a person says, noting
     tone of voice and other body language to understand content and feelings being             expressed; and
     2. Respond in a way that shows understanding of what is said.

THINKING SKILLS

Creative Thinking:

     1. Use imagination freely, combining ideas or information in new ways; and
     2. Make connections between ideas that seem unrelated.
     Problem-Solving Skills:
     1. Recognize problem, a gap between what is and what should or could be;
     2. Identify why it is a problem;
     3. Create and implement a solution; and
     4. Watch to see how well solution works and
     revise if needed.
     Decision Making Skills:
     1. Identify the goal desired in making the decision;
     2. Generate alternatives for reaching the goal;
     3. Gather information about the alternatives (e.g.,
     from experts or books);
     4. Weigh the pros and cons of each alternative
     (i.e., gains/losses to yourself and others,
     approval/disapproval or self and others);
     5. Make the best choice; and
     6. Plan how to carry out your choice and what
     you will do if negative consequences occur.

Visualization:

1. See a building or object by looking at a blueprint, drawing, or sketch; and

2. Imagine how a system works by looking at a schematic drawing.

PEOPLE SKILLS

Social:

1. Show understanding, friendliness, and respect for the feelings of others;

2. Assert oneself appropriately, stand up for yourself and your ideas in a firm, positive way; and

3. Take an interest in what people say and why they think and act as they do.

Negotiation:

1. Identify common goals among different parties in conflict and the ways they depend on each other;

2. Clearly present the facts and arguments of your own position;

3. Listen to and understand other party’s position; and

4. Create and propose possible options for resolving the conflict, making reasonable compromises.

Leadership:

1. Communicate thoughts and feelings to justify a position;

2. Encourage, persuade, or convince individuals or groups;

3. Make positive use of rules (e.g. “Robert’s Rules of Order”) or values of the organization;

4. Exhibit ability to have others believe in and trust you due to your competence and honesty.

Teamwork:

1. Work cooperatively with others; contribute to the group with ideas and effort;

2. Do own share of tasks necessary to complete project;

3. Encourage team members by listening to them, providing support, and offering tips for success, as appropriate;

4. Resolve differences for the benefits of the team; and

5. Responsibly challenge existing procedures, policies, or authorities.

Cultural Diversity:

     1. Work well with people having different ethnic, social, or educational backgrounds;

     2. Understand the concerns of members of other ethnic and gender groups;

     3. Base impressions on a person’s behavior, not stereotypes;

     4. Understand one’s own culture and those of others and how they differ; and

     5. Respect the rights of others while helping them make cultural adjustments where      necessary.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Self-Esteem:

      1. Understand how beliefs affect how a person feels and acts;

     2. Listen to what you say to yourself to identify any irrational or harmful beliefs you      may have; and

     3. Understand how to change these negative beliefs when they occur.

     Self-Management:

     1. Assess your own knowledge and skills accurately;

     2. Set well-defined and realistic personal goals; and

     3. Monitor your progress toward your goals.

     Responsibility:

     1. Give a high level of effort toward reaching goals;

     2. Work hard to become excellent at job tasks. Pay attention to details. Concentrate      on doing tasks well, even unpleasant ones; and

     3. Display high standards of attendance, honesty, energy, and optimism.

From Job Skills for the 21st Century: A Guide for Students Copyright © Oryx Press, 1996. Reproduced with permission of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., Westport, CT. Downloaded with permission for non-commercial use from The Career Key website, 2013: http:// www.careerkey.org/asp/career_development/ foundation_skills.html

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