Hallmarks of Success

“Learning is what most adults will do for a living in the 21st century."      –Sidney Joseph Perelman

These days, the hallmarks of success are much broader than in the past. In other words, employers require more from their employees today than ever before. The following list describes the skills and competencies that are shared by all successful employees, whether they troubleshoot equipment in a manufacturing plant, drive an ambulance, or transcribe legal documents.

And by the way, don’t be too concerned if you aren’t seeing some, or any, of these skills in your own child. Sometimes our children behave quite differently away from home, and we can learn a lot about our children and their abilities by talking to other professionals and volunteers who work with our children. So talk to your child’s teachers, church leaders, coaches, other parents who spend time with your child, etc. You'll be surprised what you learn about your own child and his abilities!

Let’s look at the hallmarks of success in careers (and life!)

• Creative Thinking - Can your child generate new ideas?

• Decision Making - Can your child work through the steps of good decision making? Can he specify goals, generate alternatives, consider risks, and evaluate and choose the best alternative?

• Problem Solving - Does your child recognize problems and can she devise and implement a plan of action to solve problems?

• Seeing Things in the Mind’s Eye - This is a tough one to explain, but does your child have the ability to visualize information? Can he organize information intellectually?

• Knowing How to Learn - You’ve heard the term life-long learning. Your child will continue to acquire and apply new knowledge. Is she ready for that challenge?

• Reasoning - Does your child have the ability to work through a problem or issue in a systematic way?

• Responsibility - Does your child hold himself accountable? Or does he always blame someone else for mistakes?

• Self-Esteem - Is your child self-reliant and does she have a positive self-image?

• Sociability - Is your child friendly, adaptable, empathic, and polite?

• Self-Management -Can you rely on your child to follow through on tasks? Does he take control and responsibility for the outcome? Does your child exhibit self-control?

• Integrity/Honesty - Without a doubt, strong values and character are hallmarks for success.

• Participates as a Member of a Team - Can your child function on a team and contribute to a group effort?

• Leadership - Can your child justify a position, persuade and convince others, and responsibly challenge existing procedures and policies?

• Negotiates - Can your child work toward agreements involving exchange of resources, and resolve divergent interests?

• Works with Diversity - Can your child interact well with people from diverse backgrounds?

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Hallmarks of Success
The SCANS Skills
Skills That Work
Parent action plan