This page provides the full explanation of Personal Effectiveness and examples of skills that are related to the attribute.
University of Edinburgh graduates are effective and proactive individuals, skilled in influencing positively and adapting to new situations with sensitivity and integrity.
Below are some examples of skills and abilities that contribute to a student's overall skills in Personal Effectiveness. Skills and abilities in this area vary from individual to individual, from discipline to discipline and from situation to situation. It is important to recognise what skills are relevant and how these skills need to be adapted for the situation in which they will be used.
Staff should be helping, supporting and encouraging students to learn about and develop these skills. Students need to reflect on what skills they have, what skills they need and how these can be developed, and then seeking out relevant opportunities to strengthen and develop these skills.
Example skills
Key aspects include:
Leadership
be able to select an appropriate leadership style for different situations
be able to set objectives, motivate, monitor performance, coach and mentor
have an ability to work with people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
Planning, organising and time management
appropriate use of project and time management tools
have an ability to prioritise
have an ability to plan and effectively use resources to achieve goals
have resilience and the ability to recover from setbacks
Commercial / Professional / Situational awareness
display commercial/situational acumen and knowledge of the current local and global business landscapes, industries, organisations and specific roles
have the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues both internally and externally
building and maintaining relationships
basic understanding of the key drivers for success in the current landscape and situation
have an understanding of the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks
Team working
effectively perform within team environments including the ability to recognise and capitalise on individuals' different thinking, experience and skills
have an ability to persuade, negotiate and influence others
have an ability to work with people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
seek and value open feedback to help their self-awareness of working with a team
Assertiveness and Confidence
give direction to tasks and people in a confident and effective manner
acquire skills for working in teams and groups, and leading where appropriate
following others lead when the context demands it
using judgement to determine when it is appropriate to questions others
Change management
be responsive to changing surroundings, both being flexible and proactive
have the ability to recognise the need for and initiate change and be able to manage change
know how to have a difficult conversation about performance or change
have the ability to manage a project, work in a team, and communicate and persuade—both orally and in writing
formulate, evaluate and apply evidence-based solutions and arguments
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
broadly, have an ability to demonstrate an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking
be commercially/professionally/situationally aware, creative, entrepreneurial and numerate
have inventive thinking—adaptability, managing complexity and self-direction
Flexibility
Effectively adapting emotions, thoughts and behaviours to environments that may be unfamiliar, uncertain and/or diverse
