Personal Skills for Professional Excellence 

Personal Skills Inventory

We have distilled a one-page  “Personal Skills Inventory”  through extensive research and stories of successful people. This quick inventory provides a systematic approach to evaluating strengths and areas for improvement. All of the skills and attributes are dynamically interwoven. The consequences of a weakness in even one of the skill sets can significantly reduce the efficacy of the others.  

Everyone has some degree of development in these areas. Use the instrument to discover where you are now and where you want to go. Invent your own system to evaluate your level of skill. One suggestion is to place a star by the each of the skill sets that you feel you have mastered. Then select one skill that you want to improve. Next, move on to creating a plan to develop this particular skill or attribute. Share your plan with your supervisor or coworkers and ask for support.  

“We have the answers. Do we have the courage to ask the right questions?”

Work teams can use the inventory as a feedback system. We will custom design a training program for you based on the skills that you select.

You are invited to review these ten skill sets. 

Everybody has some degree of skill in each of these sets. 

Which skills have you mastered? 

Which ones would you like to improve? 

1. COMMUNICATION 
Expresses Ideas Clearly
Listens for Understanding
Receptive to Feedback
Long Attention Span 
Sensitive to Feelings 
Honors Different Styles
Reads Nonverbal Clues
Engaging
Positive Self-Talk
Prevents Breakdowns

2. WORK HABITS
Makes Wise Decisions
Life Long Learner 
Takes Initiative
Motivated & Accountable
Organizes Time & Tasks 
Juggles Priorities Well  
Energized & Empowered
Takes Pride in Work
Strategic Planner 
Ambitious & Dedicated

3. ETHICS & INTEGRITY 
Follows a Code of Ethics
High Standards & Credibility 
Trustworthy & Confidential
Accountability 
Respectful
Responsible
Set & Honors Boundaries
Committed
Courageous
Maturity & Wisdom

4. CHANGE & CREATIVITY 
Welcomes Challenges 
Spirit of Adventure
Manages Conflict & Crisis
Overcomes Barriers
Curious & Imaginative
Handles Complexity
Solves Problems 
Creative & Spontaneous 
Generates Original Ideas
Realistic & Dreamer 

5. MENTAL & EMOTIONAL FIT
Flexibility & Adaptability
Strength of Character 
Endurance & Perseverance
Balances Logic & Emotions
Sharp Reflexes
Resiliency 
Learns from Experience
Fearlessness
Manages Emotions
Conscientious & Discerning

6. LEADERS & TEAMS
Encouraging   
Asks for Help & Mentors 
Inspires & Brings Out the Best 
Utilizes Diverse Talents 
Assertive & Persuasive
Sustains Team Spirit  
Competitive & Cooperative 
Builds Alliances
Passionate 
Visionary

7. HAPPINESS
Positive Attitude & Outlook
Sense of Humor
Seeks Pleasure & Joy 
Cosmic Perspective
Playful & Lighthearted
Delights in Small Wonders
Abundance Mentality
Loves Life & Work
Wide Range of Interests
Inner Peace & Harmony

8. WELLNESS 
Practices Prevention
Good Nutrition
Physically Fit 
Safety Minded
Relaxes & Sleeps Well 
Manages Stress 
Vitality
Wellness Lifestyle 
Self-Care
Reduces Risk Factors

9 . PEOPLE SKILLS
Likable, Warm & Friendly
Welcoming & Inclusive
Compassionate
Caring, Kind & Generous
Appreciative 
Supportive
Accepting
Forgiving
Understanding & Empathetic
Builds Quality Relationships 

10. SELF DEVELOPMENT
Self-Reliant & Dependable
Reflective & Insightful
Self-Esteem
Sense of Self & Purpose 
Aware of Weaknesses
Resourceful
Mature & Genuine 
Invests in Personal Growth 
Guided by Spiritual Principles
Making a Difference