Core Competencies
The knowledge, skills, and abilities linked to successful performance regardless of role or expertise.

Business Acumen
Integrates business, organizational and industry knowledge to one’s own job performance

Cooperative Principles and Practices
Demonstrates an appreciation of the co-op business model

Industry Principles and Concepts
Knows the basic and emerging principles and concepts that impact the energy industry

Business Fundamentals
Integrates knowledge of internal and external business structures and processes into daily practice

Technical Credibility
Keeps current in area of expertise and demonstrates competency within areas of functional responsibility

Political Savvy
Understands the impacts of internal and external political dynamics

Resource Management
Uses resources to accomplish objectives and goals

Service and Community Orientation
Anticipates and meets the needs of internal and external customers and stakeholders

Technology Management
Keeps current on developments and leverages technology to meet goals

Personal Effectiveness Demonstrates a professional presence and a commitment to effective job performance

Accountability and Dependability
Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight

Business Etiquette
Maintains a professional presence in business settings

Ethics and Integrity
Adheres to professional standards and acts in an honest, fair and trustworthy manner

Safety Focus
Adheres to all occupational safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices

Self-Management
Manages own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals

Self-Awareness / Continual Learning
Displays an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement

Interactions with Others
Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect

Collaboration/Engagement
Develops networks and alliances to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals

Interpersonal Skills
Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect

Communication
Clearly and concisely conveying information and effectively listening and responding to others

Negotiation and Conflict Management
Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner

Cooperation and Teamwork
Works well with others and within teams to achieve goals

Diversity Awareness
Considers, respects, and adapts individual differences

Problem-Solving Exercises good judgment to make well-informed decisions and to develop and implement effective solutions

Initiative
Is proactive and looks for opportunities to make a difference

Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Uses knowledge, facts and data to effectively solve problems and make decisions

Innovation/Creativity
Is able to be an original thinker and go beyond conventional approaches

Resourceful/Achievement Oriented
Focuses on improving performance, meeting or surpassing goals, and producing results

Flexibility
Remains open to new ideas, information, and approaches

External Relations and Communications Competencies
Plans, implements, and monitors communications to position the cooperative as a good corporate citizen and to align with the cooperative’s strategic goals

Key Behaviors

Craft
Creates communication using the right mix of practical communication abilities to support the business goals and vision articulated in the communication plan.

Communication to Influence

● Writing and Editing
● Clarity and effectiveness; Purposeful Writing - nuances in writing
● Editing/ Grammar and usage; Knowledge of AP style
● Language appropriate to specific audiences & channels
● Public Speaking and Presentations
● Social Media

Visual and Digital Media
Creates and develops visual response to communication challenges

● Graphic Design
● Print and Web Design and Layout
● Multi Media Production

Standards and Practices
Adheres to accepted standards of professional behavior.

Professional Ethics
Understands ethics in practice

● Cultural Competence

Legal and Sourcing Issues
Recognizes and acts in accordance with the law

● Copyright law; Primary vs. secondary vs. tertiary sources
● Int'l, national, state & local laws regarding libel, disclosure, trademarks, fair use, First Amend issues
● Laws covering slander, privacy, regulations, lobbying, tech & social media-privacy issues, digital footprint

Message Development
Uses research, planning, and evaluation methodologies to develop and implement communication plans and programs that support the cooperatives strategic goals.

Research
Uses research methodology or approaches to gather information about stakeholders, industry, and relevant issues.

● Quantitative & qualitative metrics; Research tools
● Designs instruments and collects data
● Plans and interprets research activities
● Monitor behaviors and outcomes

Planning
Develops comprehensive plans.

● Action plan that reflects the goals and priorities of the cooperative
● Understands various channels available, selects appropriate options
● Audience Identification

Evaluation
Utilizes assessment methodologies to gauge results and apply modification.

● Monitor behaviors and outcomes
● Quantitative and qualitative metrics at the onset of an initiative
● Improve efforts by monitoring behaviors and outcomes

Implementation

Marketing
Identifies and promotes products and services.

Member services

● Develops and implements product/service options
● Evaluates/measures member satisfaction, sales & promotions
● Oversees brand mgmt. & reputation through appropriate messaging, events, donations/sponsorships.
● Channel Management: traditional print and broadcast media management; social and digital media management
● Monitors and implements relevant emerging platforms

Promotion

Brand Management

Information/Channel Management

Social media marketing

Relationship Management Establishes and builds relationship with and between cooperative staff and key external stakeholders.

Employee Relations

Consulting and Coaching
Recommends solutions, helps others to make informed decisions and build communications competence.

● Recommends appropriate solutions to members
● Helps others to make informed decisions
● Training/development of employees to be good communicators
● Supports to the CEO and executive leadership

Member and Community Relations

Government Relations

Media Relations

Issues Management
Identifies and analyzes potential issues important to the organization and manages communications.

Environmental Scan/Risk Management

Crisis Communication

● Communicating complex issues

Management Counsel

Supervisory, Management and Leadership Competencies
The knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to affect the work environment and organizational results

Supervisors and Managers
Key Behaviors

CEO and Senior Leadership
Key Behaviors

Governance and Strategy
A holistic focus that ensures cultural alignment with the organization’s long-term needs and business structure

Board Focus
Focuses on the needs of the Board and improving the effectiveness of the Board

• Educates and fosters good working knowledge of cooperative business model, values, principles, and systems.
• Understands board roles and fosters positive dialogue regarding board policies and direction.
• Executes and directs implementation of the policies and plans of the Board.
• Supports executive level board relations by providing reports and information relevant to policies, governance and business results.

• Builds a trusting and open relationship with each member of the board by gaining an understanding of their unique needs and expectations.
• Shares information, communicates roles and responsibilities, shares best practices, supports board in making decisions.
• Partners with Board to build the cooperative’s reputation within the community.
• Encourages the Board to contribute in a substantial manner to development of the cooperative’s long-term vision and strategic goals.

Vision and Strategic Orientation
Takes a broad, long-term view that focuses on the future needs of the organization and members

• Aligns personnel and other resources in a manner consistent with organizational vision and objectives.
• Sets goals in alignment with strategic priorities.

• Integrates the needs of the membership with the strategic needs of the cooperative, region and the industry.
• Proactively improves the position of the cooperative by maintaining focus on the future and the constantly changing environment.
• Adapts or creates a new and compelling vision, and is not constrained by traditional views of running the cooperative.

Organizational Design
Builds an organizational structure that aligns roles and responsibilities with the values and strategic priorities of the organization

• Understands the importance of aligning organizational structure and strategy with work processes.
• Identifies key skills within the work unit and determines how to best organize the work (e.g., grouping responsibilities, establishing linkages) to enhance efficiency and coordination.
• Continuously works to improve the organizational effectiveness through work, technology, and structure alignment.

• Collects feedback from employees at all levels to understand what is working and what could be improved related to existing systems and structure.
• Creates clear descriptions of the work, roles, and responsibilities.
• Reviews organizational structure, systems, technologies and processes to ensure they support strategic initiatives.
• Works to integrate what will be, with the organizational structure, and people talents and strategies and resources.

Lead Change and Manage Risk in a Disruptive Environment
Identifies and actively manages Change and Risk in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment

• Understands and anticipates the primary drivers of change and risk that can impact the cooperative.
• Manages all phases of the planned change.
• Ensures that daily work is aligned with strategic directions and change initiatives.
• Maintains and reports appropriate data regarding risk and activities.
• Coaches others to adapt, think critically, innovate and implement change.
• Works with agility in a collaborative way to address changing conditions.

• Facilitates and leads change.
• Creates a culture that focuses on operational agility.
• Takes calculated risks and acts decisively despite imperfect direction or lack of predictability.
• Is resilient and provides clarity for others in complex, confusing and chaotic times.

External Leadership
Focuses outside the cooperative to better the organization and the community.

Industry Influence
Has extensive knowledge of the industry and uses this knowledge to impact the future direction of the industry

• Contributes own expertise and is actively involved in affiliated and industry-related organizations and committees.
• Brings new knowledge and feedback gained from industry activities back to the cooperative.
• Presents oneself in a professional manner to maintain image and credibility.

• Serves as a leader at the local, state, regional and/or national levels.
• Actively contributes to advancing the current state of the industry by keeping abreast of the changing times and being an advocate for change.
• Represents the industry in policy making forums and working groups to influence and educate for the good of the industry.

Community Engagement
Places the cooperative in a collaborative position for maintaining and growing healthy communities.

• Provides appropriate leadership to community efforts.
• Matches organizational strengths and resources to community needs.
• Encourages staff to identify community development needs and engage in community improvement activities and organizations.

• Collaborates to position the cooperative as a community leader/facilitator.
• Communicates purposes for the cooperative's engagement with the community.

Member Focus
Focuses self and the cooperative on the needs of members

• Treats and views members as owners, and is proactive in anticipating their current and potential future needs.
• Recognizes member diversity and includes all member perspectives in decisions.
• Seeks opportunities to engage members.
• Anticipates current and future needs.
• Makes decisions based on impact to members.
• Coaches and empowers employees to provide the highest level of service to members.

Getting Results
Establishes and achieves challenging goals

Process Management
Develops and monitors processes and organizes resources to achieve desired results

• Establishes clear, well-defined processes.
• Organizes and coordinates people, resources, and activities to support desired results.
• Identifies and addresses process problems promptly and effectively.
• Evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of processes and resources.

• Delineates complex process into sub-processes and functions.
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities to accomplish multiple objectives.
• Understands and manages resources shared by multiple processes to integrate them into organizational systems.

Program/Project Management
Designs, implements and manages programs/projects, and directs the related resources, personnel and activities from inception through to successful completion

• Develops and manages activities and metrics needed to ensure quality and oversight.
• Coordinates and supervises program personnel.
• Develops risk assessment and strategies to reduce or eliminate identified risks.
• Monitors project and makes adjustments as needed.

• Serves as a sponsor for a project; articulate the purpose, processes, resources available, expected results and organizational impact.
• Works with individuals within internally and across other organizations to ensure project execution.
• Identifies and analyzes organizational influences impacting a project.
• Helps to reduce or eliminate high-impact risks and alerts others to risks and their impact on the organization.

Results Driven
Achieves results by establishing and maintaining focus on challenging goals and measuring organizational performance against those goals and standards

• Clearly articulates goals and expectations.
• Ensures availability of resources.
• Shows dedication in completing the work.
• Develops and uses measures to assess goal attainment and outcome achievement.
• Holds others accountable; recognizes results.

• Continually strives to improve performance and results across the organization.

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making
Thinks systematically, conceptually, and analytically to determine effective solutions that will enable the cooperative to achieve desired goals

• Objectively integrates previously learned information and distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information.
• Commits to a solution in a timely manner and develops a realistic approach for implementing the chosen solution.
• Uses consensus when appropriate and follows up to determine results of decisions.
• Demonstrates resourcefulness by assembling problem solving teams.

• Seeks out information on issues that will require decisions important to the long-term success of the organization.
• Maintains awareness of the organization’s values and goals while facilitating discussion regarding actions or decisions.
• Analyzes options and approaches taking into account the interactions and perspectives of all systems and organizational entities and various stakeholders.
• Articulates the decision making situation.
• Holds themselves and others accountable to the same standards of analysis, results, and consequences to ensure consistency.

Innovation
Develops new insights into situations and applies different and novel solutions to make improvements

• Combines ideas in unique ways or makes connections between disparate ideas.
• Views situations from multiple perspectives.
• Creates a work environment that encourages creative thinking and innovation.

• Introduces new concepts or strategies that significantly improve or revise the way business is done.
• Fosters an environment that encourages people to challenge conventional ideas, perspectives, and methods.
• Encourages creativity by absorbing risks, listening, and committing resources.

Working Through Others
Respectfully interacts with different individuals and groups, being mindful of the lasting impact of words and actions

Interpersonal Communication Skills
Listens, relates and expresses oneself in a manner that is effective while supporting mutual understanding

• Communicates strategically across the organization using a variety of methods to ensure accessibility.
• Demonstrates commitment to information sharing and a culture of feedback.
• Communicates appropriately up and across the organization.
• Makes sensitive or complex ideas or situations understandable to all key stakeholders.

• Demonstrates confidence and executive presence.
• Uses personal and impactful examples and stories to create a connection with audiences and develop a “call to action.”
• Understands the weight others tie to messages from the executive level and plans communication accordingly.
• Approves and signs off on internal and external communications requiring the highest level of review.

Influence Others
Persuades and motivates others towards an outcome consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

• Identifies opportunities to positively influence others.
• Uses expertise and business experience to influence and maximize outcomes.
• Articulates the desired course of action in a way that inspires others to support decisions or actions by using facts, logic, and emotional factors.
• Maintains composure at all times.
• Listens to constructive feedback and incorporates suggestions to achieve collective objectives.
• Leads by example and sets standards for professional behavior.

• Inspires and persuades others to follow direction, pursue and achieve goals, and adopt new positions or opinions.
• Uses deep domain expertise and business experience to influence and persuade a wide range of audiences on issues important to organization and industry.

Performance Management
Develops and empowers staff to achieve by championing and applying a systematic performance management process & coaching strategies

• Collaborates with human resources to recruit, select, and retain staff.
• Holds self and others accountable for complying with performance management policy and procedures.
• Sets clear, well-defined performance outcomes, tracks progress, and appropriately acknowledges accomplishments.
• Translates organizational and departmental goals into individual actionable goals.
• Provides prompt, regular, on-going performance feedback.
• Makes learning and development part of the job.
• Ensures that staff has the opportunities and resources to develop new skills.
• Seeks performance feedback from multiple perspectives – managers, peers, subordinates, and external sources.
• Coaches and mentors others.

• Champions the performance management process.
• Creates a development-oriented organizational environment.
• Customizes an organizational approach to performance management by balancing the organization’s unique cultural characteristics and constraints with performance management policy.

Relationship and Team Building
Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams.

• Builds and maintains a positive, purposeful work culture.
• Ensures that all members agree on a common team mission and goals.
• Develops networks and alliances with others outside immediate work group.
• Determines own conflict management style and appropriately adapts it to resolve team issues.
• Recognizes team achievement to encourage continued effort.
• Easily shifts between team leader and individual contributor roles.

• Fosters cooperation, collaboration, and communication to facilitate consensus and accomplish tasks.
• Fosters an environment conducive to open, transparent communications among all levels.
• Identifies and explains situations where collaboration and teamwork is likely to yield greater results for the organization.
• Motivates others to work collectively by role modeling collaborative behaviors and highlighting the positive results.
• Seeks out opportunities to participate in, or lead collaborative activities within the organization and across the co-op network.
• Encourages dialogue and develops coalitions outside their immediate area of responsibility.
• Actively looks for ways to help other parts of the co-op network by appropriately sharing their organizational successes and shortcomings.

Diversity and Inclusion
Develops and nurtures an inclusive workplace that leverages the talents of each person and promotes cultural awareness among members

• Helps others increase their awareness and acceptance of individual differences.
• Engages in collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships with people regardless of their individual differences.
• Builds teams that leverage the inherent diversity and strengths of individuals.
• Modifies communication and behavior based on an understanding of individual differences.
• Recognizes and communicates the value of diverse perspectives.

• Establishes equitable organizational policies and procedures that support the recruitment, development, and retention of a diverse, high quality workforce.
• Champions policies, procedures and values that encourage awareness and acceptance of diversity.
• Fosters an environment of inclusion, where diverse thoughts are freely shared, respected and integrated.

Doing the Right Thing
Is principle-centered and displays strong character

Commitment to Cooperative Values
Acts in ways that put the cooperative’s values and principles above one’s own personal needs and goals

• Models cooperative principles and values inside and outside the organization.
• Defends and stands up for the Co-op’s cooperative’s values, vision and objectives.

• Displays personal humility and promotes the success of the cooperative above promoting self.
• Makes choices and sets priorities to achieve the cooperative’s goals while maintaining the balance between work and personal life.

Integrity and Courage
Makes decisions and acts consistently with values, professional standards, and the broader interests of the cooperative

• Has self-awareness into own emotional strengths, weaknesses, and maintains self-confidence and persistence.
• Presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful way.
• Is trusted to keep confidences.
• Consistently applies personal values to address difficult situations and make tough decisions.
• Publicly stands up for what is right and will take personal responsibility for mistakes.

• Leads by example.
  Promotes the values of trust, integrity and courage throughout the organization.