Job Duties Holding You Back, Define 3 social skills for success

We have all likely seen them in job postings as duties, on performance evaluations and even referred to them when interacting with others in relationships. Vague terms like “demonstrate accountability,” “communicate effectively,” and “collaborate with team members” are universal in workplaces but lack the clarity needed to drive performance. Below, I redefine these terms with specific, observable behaviors and social skills that any person can exhibit transforming workplace expectations into actionable growth and success. And maybe even improving their relationships too…

1. Demonstrate Accountability

Vague Issue: “Accountability” is a buzzword that could mean anything—showing up on time, owning mistakes, or hitting goals. Without specifics, it’s impossible to know how either a worker or an organizational leader can explain if someone is “hitting the mark” on this job duty.

Clear Definition: Let’s create a clear definition. Acknowledge one mistake or oversight in a workplace discussion and propose one corrective action within the same discussion. As a worker, can you see the possibility of capturing your contributions when it comes to performance reviews? Organizational leaders, could this help eliminate confusion between evaluating performance differences between employees?

Observable Behaviors and Social Skills:

• Error Acknowledgment: Verbally admits a specific mistake (e.g., missed deadline, incorrect data) in a meeting or conversation.

• Proactive Solution: Suggests a concrete fix (e.g., new process, tool use) in 1–2 sentences, showing initiative.

• Active Listening: Maintains eye contact for most of a collaborative discussion while others respond, signaling engagement.

  
  

2. Communicate Effectively

Vague Issue: “Effective communication” is a catch-all, covering emails, presentations, or chats, but it doesn’t specify what “effective” looks like—clarity, brevity, or impact?

Clear Definition: Deliver one explanation of a work-related task or issue in a short conversation with co-workers or a front-line supervisor conversation, using two specific examples, prompting no clarifying questions from listeners and receiving at least one verbal or nonverbal acknowledgment.

Observable Behaviors and Social Skills:

• Clarity: Uses plain language (e.g., no jargon) to explain the task, ensuring accessibility. As the phrase says, “explain it like you are talking to your grandmother.”

• Example-Driven: Provides two concrete examples in 1–2 sentences each, grounding the explanation in real scenarios.

• Nonverbal Engagement: Maintains eye contact for most of a short conversation and uses steady gestures with hand movements or head nods.

  
  

3. Collaborate with Team Members

Vague Issue: “Collaboration” sounds teamwork-y but could mean anything—sharing files, brainstorming, or just not arguing. Without clear actions, the focused effort may lead to nowhere truly productive for you or your work group.

Clear Definition: Contribute two specific suggestions or ideas in a 15-minute team discussion and paraphrase one teammate’s input within the same discussion, prompting at least one teammate’s acknowledgment of a contribution.

Observable Behaviors and Social Skills:

• Idea Contribution: Offers two actionable ideas in 1–2 sentences each, relevant to the discussion’s goal.

• Active Listening: Paraphrases one teammate’s idea in 1 sentence, showing understanding.

• Nonverbal Support: Maintains open posture (e.g., uncrossed arms, upright) for the majority of the 15-minute discussion, signaling receptivity.

  
  

Why Clarity Fuels Success

These definitions with both observable behaviors and social skills are specific, measurable and can be applied in a variety of work settings. The potential to improve shared understanding between employees and leaders can help to reduce employee turnover, while driving employee engagement and retention. Clarity and simplification of these common terms can empower people to build visible social skills like collaboration, open communication and active listening, boosting workplace trust and efficiency. Who wouldn’t benefit from that?