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Tufts Core and Leadership Competencies
Great work at Tufts is driven not just by what we do, but by how we do it together. To strengthen that shared approach, the university has introduced Core and Leadership Competencies as a common framework for how we work, grow, and lead in support of the university’s mission and to advance the first driver of the Tufts Beyond 175 strategic plan.
What Are Competencies?
Competencies describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that support success at Tufts. They are observable and applicable across roles, helping us bring our mission, values, and culture to life in daily work.
By using competencies consistently, Tufts is strengthening:
- Clarity about expectations and what effective performance looks like
- Consistency across performance management, hiring, and promotion decisions
- Growth through meaningful feedback and development conversations
- Alignment between individual contributions and university priorities
- Empowerment by defining the behaviors that support professional growth and success at Tufts
Why Competencies—and Why Now?
As higher education quickly evolves, the introduction of competencies enhances our ability to support growth in a thoughtful, consistent way across all areas of the university. Competencies focus attention on behaviors that build trust, collaboration, accountability, and belonging across our community. They provide a clear, shared framework for developing staff and sustaining excellence, while remaining true to our shared values.
Core Competencies
Core Competencies apply to all staff, regardless of role or level. They represent shared expectations for how we approach our work and interact with others. They are integrated into performance management, professional development, and career growth conversations across the university.
Communicate Clearly
Conveys information clearly, persuasively, and respectfully across diverse audiences through dialogue, active listening, and understanding.
Deliver Outcomes
Takes initiative and accountability by involving others in decision‑making, addressing challenges with integrity and a solution‑focused mindset to deliver meaningful results.
Embrace Collaboration
Builds strong relationships within and across teams by embracing a One Tufts mindset, valuing diverse perspectives, supporting shared goals, and demonstrating reliability.
Practice a Learning Mindset
Approaches change and challenges with resilience and curiosity, seeks feedback, contributes ideas, and learns from setbacks.
Deliver Mission Impact
Advances university priorities by understanding individual and team’s role and aligning actions with institutional and area-specific goals.
Leadership Competencies
Leadership Competencies build on the Core Competencies and apply to all leadership roles, from supervisors to senior leaders. They define the behaviors needed to lead people, manage complexity, and advance the university’s strategic direction, enabling leaders to support their teams, make sound decisions, and model behaviors that foster trust and engagement.
Instill a Mission-Driven, Strategic Mindset
Aligns strategy with mission and values, drives innovation, and turns priorities into collaborative action.
Drive Change
Adapts to university complexity with agility, clearly communicates the need for change, engages stakeholders proactively, and simplifies processes for lasting results.
Lead with Emotional Intelligence
Builds an inclusive, high-performance culture by modeling self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and effective communication, while supporting others' growth.
Build Accountability
Fosters a sense of ownership through resolving challenges, making decisions, and practicing risk taking in a thoughtful, impact-aware manner.
How Competencies Are Used at Tufts
Competencies are being integrated thoughtfully into key people processes over time, including:
Performance Management
- Goal Setting: Setting goals that reflect both what will be accomplished and how the work will be done
- Mid-Year Conversations: Using competencies to guide feedback, reflection, and progress discussions
- Year-End Reviews: Assessing not only outcomes, but the behaviors that led to those results
Development Conversations
- Identifying strengths and growth opportunities
- Creating meaningful development plans aligned with competencies
- Supporting continuous learning and career growth
Recruitment and Hiring
- Clarifying expectations in job descriptions
- Using competency-based interviewing for fair, consistent evaluations
- Selecting candidates who align with role requirements, competencies and and Tufts’ values
Learning and Resources
To support understanding and application of the competencies, the following resources will be available:
- HR Training Programs
- FAQs
- Live Webinars for Supervisors and Staff
- Core & Leadership Competencies Overview
- Introduction to University Core Competencies eLearning
- Introduction to University Leadership Competencies eLearning
Links will be added as resources become available.
Explore Trainings by Competency:
Core Competencies:
- Communicate Clearly
- Deliver Outcomes
- Drive Mission Impact
- Embrace Collaboration
- Practice a Learning Mindset
Leadership Competencies:
- Instill a Mission-Driven, Strategic Mindset
- Drive Change
- Lead with Emotional Intelligence
- Build Accountability
Learn More and Get Support
Supervisors play a critical role in bringing competencies to life through goal setting, feedback, and everyday decisions. Staff are encouraged to use competencies as tools for reflection, development, and collaboration.
For questions or support, please contact your Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP).
Together, the Core and Leadership Competencies provide a shared foundation for how we do our best work at Tufts—and how we continue to grow as a community.
Provided by Human Resources