When needed, serves as an advisor regarding technical aspects of a project. Makes recommendations related to procedures and resources that may be needed. Has gained the respect and confidence of the people he/she advises. This is distinctly different from those whose advice fails to result in improving efficiency or avoiding pitfalls on projects and/or whose track record or ability to persuade others creates a lack of credibility and a lack of confidence in following any advice offered.

Prioritizes tasks and manages time to ensure that deadlines are met. Plans his or her time and sticks to those plans. Prevents or manages interruptions until the highest priority tasks are accomplished. This is in contrast to those individuals who fail to prioritize tasks or are not tenacious or disciplined enough to stay focused on the highest priority aspects of the job. This tendency to lack focus or discipline results in unmet deadlines and frustrated stakeholders.

Establishes an environment that creates incentives for, and eliminates barriers to, a team environment. For example, articulates common goals, communicates how individual roles contribute to team success, provides both clear direction and sufficient resources while removing or reducing obstacles to team success. This contrasts with those who reward competitive behavior within the team, fail to connect individual roles to team goals, talk/write about the importance of teamwork without providing adequate resources or fail to play a key role in neutralizing any other obstacles to team success.

Ensures that staff members get a sufficient amount of orientation, training and developmental opportunities to maximize their chances of being successful in their assignments. Views training and development as an investment in employees and uses mentoring, cross- functional assignments, job rotation or other on-the-job learning opportunities to enhance the depth and breadth of skills and experience. Also encourages self-development activities. This is in contrast to those who provide little or no orientation to the organization, view training as an expense and something to be rationed on a selective basis, and tend to focus almost entirely on today's needs and demands instead of ensuring that employees are being prepared for tomorrow's challenges.

Ensures that performance appraisals are fair, objective and timely. When rating performance, considers each employee's role and experience along with any circumstances that affected performance. Rates on the basis of fair and realistic expectations regarding both results expected and competencies demonstrated. Understands the competencies required by those being assessed and can describe gaps in a clear and effective manner. Ensures that feedback is ongoing and that appraisal documentation is submitted for review on time. This compares favorably to being unclear or unrealistic, failing to provide ongoing feedback, being unable to explain the connection between competencies and results, demonstrating bias in ratings or written documentation, or failing to complete documentation or meetings in a timely manner.

Personally demonstrates that external (or internal) constituents are a high priority. Identifies constituent needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the constituent. Keeps constituents informed about the status of pending actions and inquires about constituent satisfaction with service. This is in sharp contrast to behavior patterns that tend to disappoint constituents, leave them feeling forgotten and unimportant or that otherwise result in unmet needs or expectations.