Competency Domains

Developing Excellence Within Everyone

VIrginia Tech's success depends on the collective talents, skills, and dedication of every member of our community. These seven competency domains represent the core capabilities that enable faculty, staff, and students to excel in their roles and contribute meaningfully to our mission of Ut Prosim. Whether you are advancing groundbreaking scholarship, supporting student success, maintaining our facilities, or leading institutional initiatives, these domains provide a shared framework for professional growth and development. They reflect both the specialized expertise required in a myriad of roles across campus and the common qualities that unite us as members of an academic community. We encourage all employees to explore these domains as pathways for continuous learning, self-reflection, and career advancement as we work together to uphold Virgina Tech's tradition of excellence and innovation.

Communication

Effective communication is essential to advancing your career and collaborating successfully with others. This domain encompasses the ability to clearly convey ideas and information across diverse audiences through various mediums including written, verbal, and digital channels. Strong communicators actively listen to understand others' perspectives, adapt their messaging to different contexts, and facilitate productive dialogue. This competency includes presenting complex concepts accessibly, providing constructive feedback, and contributing to environments where ideas can be exchanged openly and respectfully.

Engagement

Engagement reflects your active participation and commitment to your professional community and work. This domain encompasses involvement in initiatives, professional development opportunities, and meaningful connections with colleagues and stakeholders. Engaged professionals demonstrate investment in their work, contribute to decision-making processes, participate in communities of practice, and build relationships that strengthen their professional networks. This competency includes understanding how your role creates value and taking initiative to advance your goals while fostering connection and community.

Expertise

Expertise represents the deep knowledge, technical skills, and specialized capabilities that enable excellence in your role and career. This domain includes developing and maintaining current proficiency in your field or functional area, applying evidence-based practices, and demonstrating mastery of essential tools and techniques. Building expertise means staying abreast of developments in your discipline, sharing knowledge through mentorship and collaboration, and applying your specialized understanding to deliver high-quality work and advance your professional impact.

Innovation

Innovation drives your ability to address emerging challenges and advance knowledge in meaningful ways. This domain encompasses creative problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to explore new approaches in your work. Innovative professionals challenge conventional thinking, embrace experimentation and calculated risk-taking, learn from failures, and apply insights from diverse fields to generate novel solutions. This competency includes staying current with developments in your field, leveraging technology effectively, and fostering creativity and continuous improvement.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to inspire, guide, and empower others toward achieving shared goals, regardless of your position or title. This domain includes influence, mentorship, and the capacity to drive positive change. Effective leaders demonstrate strategic thinking, make informed decisions that balance multiple perspectives, develop talent in others, and create conditions for teams and individuals to thrive. This competency includes modeling professional values, navigating complexity and ambiguity, championing diversity and inclusion, and building capacity to meet current and future challenges in your field.

Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses the ethical standards, integrity, and accountability that guide your work and career. This domain includes demonstrating reliability in fulfilling responsibilities, maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality, adhering to professional codes of conduct, and representing yourself with dignity and respect. Developing professionalism means exhibiting sound judgment, taking ownership of your actions, managing time and resources effectively, and consistently delivering quality work while maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.

Teamwork

Teamwork reflects your ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to collective achievement. This domain involves building positive working relationships, contributing meaningfully to group efforts, respecting diverse perspectives and expertise, and supporting colleagues in achieving shared objectives. Effective team members navigate interpersonal dynamics constructively, share knowledge and resources generously, coordinate efforts across groups, and help create inclusive environments where all contributions are valued.

Hokie Dozen Leadership Competencies

Performance Competencies

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