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Axelerant's behavior model merges globally recognized SFIA8 behavioral skills with our EKO values to progressively map behavior traits to individual contributor leaders' and business managers' role levels.
Axelerant's Behavior Model Components
Each of Axelerant's behavior model aspects ties directly to an Axelerant value.
Effective Communication–Openness
Collaboration–Kindness
Self-Management–Enthusiasm
Problem-Solving–Enthusiasm
Ownership–Kindness
Effective Communication
Active listening skills
Active listening is a communication skill that focuses entirely on understanding the speaker's message. It is a technique that affects not only hearing the words being spoken but also paying attention to the speaker's body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues. Active listening involves giving the speaker one's full attention and engaging in a dialogue that shows that you are interested in understanding their perspective. This type of listening requires the listener to refrain from interrupting, asking questions to clarify points, summarizing what was said, and providing feedback to the speaker. Active listening aims to create a safe and comfortable space for the speaker to communicate while also allowing the listener to comprehend and retain the information being shared fully.
Writing skills
Writing skills refer to the ability to communicate effectively through the written word. This involves composing grammatically correct sentences, using proper punctuation and spelling, and conveying ideas and information concisely and engagingly. Good writing skills require a solid understanding of language, including vocabulary, syntax, and grammar, and the ability to organize thoughts and ideas logically and coherently.
Presentation skills
Presentation skills refer to the ability to deliver information in a clear, engaging, and effective manner to an audience. These skills involve verbal and nonverbal communication, such as body language, tone of voice, and visual aids. Practical presentation skills require planning, preparation, and practice.
To be a good presenter, one must structure the presentation logically and cohesively, use appropriate language and tone, and engage the audience through effective gestures, eye contact, and other nonverbal cues. Strong presentation skills also involve using visual aids, such as slides, videos, and props, to enhance the message.
Non-verbal communication skills
Nonverbal communication skills refer to using body language, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues to convey messages to others without using words. It's a way of communicating through actions rather than verbal language.
These skills are essential in interpersonal communication and can significantly impact how others perceive us and how effectively we can convey our intended message. Examples of nonverbal communication skills include making eye contact, using appropriate facial expressions, using body language congruent with what is being said, using a proper tone of voice, and being aware of personal space and proximity to others. Nonverbal communication can also include touch, posture, and even clothing choices.
Proactive communication
Proactive communication refers to initiating contact with others in a way that anticipates their needs, concerns, or questions. It involves taking the initiative to provide information, updates, or feedback without being prompted.
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Overall, proactive communication involves being attentive to others' needs and taking the initiative to communicate effectively to benefit everyone involved.
Gives recognition
Sharing & asking for feedback
Collaboration
A helping attitude
A helping attitude refers to a mindset or approach that is focused on assisting others and being supportive. It involves offering help, advice, or resources to those who need them without expecting anything in return.
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Overall, a helping attitude involves a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others and being a source of support and encouragement.
Being respectful
Being respectful refers to treating others with consideration, kindness, and dignity. It involves acknowledging and valuing every individual's worth and importance, regardless of background, beliefs, or identity.
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Overall, being respectful involves recognizing and valuing the worth of every individual and treating others with kindness, consideration, and dignity.
Manifesting humility
Humility is a characteristic or quality of being modest, humble, and unassuming. It is the opposite of arrogance and a willingness to acknowledge one's limitations or mistakes. A humble person is open to learning and growth and does not feel the need to assert their superiority over others constantly.
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Practicing humility can involve being mindful of one's thoughts and behaviors, avoiding boasting or self-promotion, acknowledging one's mistakes and shortcomings, and showing respect and appreciation for others.
Flexibility
Flexibility at work refers to the ability of people to adjust to changes in work demands, schedules, or environments. This includes being open to new ideas, adapting to different roles or responsibilities, and being willing to work outside one's regular duties.
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In today's fast-paced and ever-changing work environment, adapting to new situations and changing circumstances can help individuals and organizations achieve their goals and succeed in their respective industries.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity at work means creating people's satisfaction, increased creativity and innovation, and better decision-making, ultimately benefiting the organization.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of another person. It involves putting oneself in someone else's shoes and seeing things from their point of view, even if we don't necessarily agree with them.
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Overall, empathy is an essential skill that allows us to connect with others, understand their experiences, and respond in a compassionate and supportive way.
Self-Management
Time management
Time management is the process of planning and organizing how much time is spent on various activities to maximize productivity and efficiency. It involves setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and allocating time to each job based on importance and urgency.
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Practical time management skills can have numerous benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved productivity and efficiency, increased motivation and self-discipline, and better work-life balance. It is an essential skill for individuals in both personal and professional settings and can contribute to overall success and well-being.
Goal setting
Goal setting is identifying specific, measurable, and achievable objectives that an individual wants to accomplish within a defined timeframe. It involves creating a plan or a roadmap for achieving those objectives and taking specific actions to move towards them.
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Goal setting is critical for individuals looking to succeed and progress toward their objectives. By setting clear, measurable goals and creating a plan for achieving them, individuals can stay focused and motivated and ultimately achieve their desired outcomes.
Planning skills
Planning skills refer to organizing and preparing for tasks and projects in advance. It involves identifying the steps necessary to achieve a goal or complete a task, estimating the time and resources required for each step, and creating a plan or roadmap to guide the process.
Practical planning skills can help individuals achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively. It allows individuals to prioritize tasks, manage their time and resources more effectively, and stay focused on achieving their objectives.
Growth mindset
A growth mindset at work is the belief that skills, abilities, and intelligence can be developed and improved through hard work, effort, and learning. Individuals with a growth mindset believe their potential is not fixed, and they can always continue learning, growing, and improving.
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Individuals with a growth mindset are typically more open to feedback and constructive criticism, seeing it as an opportunity to learn and improve. They are also more likely to seek out new experiences and challenges, take on leadership roles, and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and share knowledge.
Adaptability
Adaptability is an essential soft skill to improve with rapidly advancing technologies, the reality of clients' changing requirements, the increasing use of agile development techniques, and other factors. Being willing and able to adapt quickly to situations is highly valued by employers.
Prioritization
Prioritization skills are essential for engineers to effectively manage their workload, meet deadlines, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Here are some critical prioritization skills for engineers:
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By mastering these prioritization skills, engineers can effectively manage their workload and ensure that their projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.
Problem-Solving
Innovation
Innovation refers to creating or developing new ideas, methods, products, or services that are novel and useful. It involves creatively combining existing knowledge, skills, and technologies to address a particular problem or challenge. Successful innovation often requires a willingness to take risks, experiment with new approaches, and embrace failure as a natural part of the process.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is analyzing and evaluating information and ideas logically and systematically to form well-reasoned judgments and conclusions. It involves using skills such as observation, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation, and self-reflection to identify the strengths and weaknesses of arguments and evidence and to assess their relevance and reliability. Critical thinking requires an open-minded and skeptical attitude, a willingness to consider alternative perspectives and evidence, and a commitment to intellectual honesty and rigor. It is essential for making informed decisions, solving problems, and engaging in reasoned discourse in personal and professional contexts.
Research
Research skills are essential for engineers as they often need to solve complex problems and develop new technologies, products, or systems. Some research skills that are particularly important for engineers include:
Information gathering: Engineers need to be able to gather information from a wide range of sources, including scientific journals, technical manuals, and industry publications. They should be able to use online databases and search engines to find relevant information quickly and efficiently.
Data analysis: Engineers must be able to analyze and interpret complex data, such as experimental results or performance metrics, to draw meaningful conclusions and make informed decisions. They should be proficient in statistical analysis and data visualization tools.
Experimental design: Engineers often conduct experiments to test hypotheses or validate designs. They should be able to design and execute experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions from the results.
Problem-solving: Engineers need to be able to identify problems, analyze their root causes, and develop practical solutions. They should be able to use critical thinking and creativity to generate new ideas and approaches.
Technical writing: Engineers must communicate their ideas, designs, and results clearly and effectively through technical reports, presentations, and other documents. They should be proficient in technical writing and documentation tools.
Collaboration: Engineers often work in teams and must collaborate effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds and disciplines. They should be able to communicate clearly and respectfully, listen actively, and contribute to group decision-making processes.
Curiosity
Curiosity at work refers to a natural inclination to seek new information, experiences, and opportunities to learn and grow professionally. It involves a desire to understand the underlying reasons for things, ask questions, and challenge assumptions.
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Curiosity at work can lead to innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement. It can help individuals stay relevant in a rapidly changing work environment, leading to new career growth and advancement opportunities.
Move forward objectively
Moving forward objectively at work refers to making decisions and taking actions based on facts, evidence, and analysis rather than personal biases or subjective opinions. It involves considering multiple perspectives, evaluating information critically, and making decisions based on sound reasoning and objective criteria.
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Moving forward objectively at work can help to ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency in decision-making, and it can help to avoid potential biases or errors that may arise from subjective opinions or emotions. It requires a commitment to evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, and the willingness to consider alternative perspectives and solutions.
Ownership
Taking initiative
Taking the initiative at work refers to the ability and willingness to identify and act on opportunities to improve processes, solve problems, and achieve goals without being prompted or directed by others. It involves proactively seeking new challenges, taking responsibility for one's work and decisions, and demonstrating a can-do attitude.
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Taking the initiative at work can demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to achieving results, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Accountability
Accountability refers to the responsibility and obligation to report, explain, and justify actions and decisions to others. It involves being answerable for the consequences of one's positive and negative actions and being willing to accept feedback, criticism, and consequences for any shortcomings or failures.
Accountability is essential to good governance, ethical behavior, and effective management. It helps to ensure transparency, fairness, and trust.
Integrity
Integrity at work refers to a person's adherence to moral and ethical principles, values, and standards in all their actions, decisions, and interactions with others in the workplace. It involves being honest, trustworthy, and transparent in one's communication and behavior, and doing what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
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