Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS)

~ Penn
~ Human Resources

Self-development BARS by Level

Self-development
Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal
development channels.

Behavior Needs Improvement Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations

Entry/Support
1. Asks for help with Avoids seeking help for self- Seeks guidance about Involves the right people to
personal development development efforts, missing opportunities and resources for help identify development
efforts. potential learning continuous learning and priorities and provide guidance
opportunities. development. on useful learning
opportunities and resources.

2. Pursues ways to develop Rarely pursues ways to develop Takes steps to develop new Pursues a range of
new skills. new skills; may wait for others skills. development options (e.g., on-
to initiate or resist change. the-job assignments, classes,
mentors), showing enthusiasm
for learning.

3. Seeks opportunities to Relies on current knowledge, Takes advantage of available Demonstrates strong
acquire new knowledge skills, and abilities; shows little opportunities to update commitment to own
and skills. interest in expanding horizons. knowledge, skills, and abilities. development by continuously
updating knowledge, skills, and
abilities.

4. Seeks opportunities to Rarely pursues opportunities to Looks for ways to apply new Assertively seeks and finds
apply new skills on the job. apply new skills on the job; may skills on the job. opportunities to practice,
prefer the status quo. apply, and strengthen new
skills on the job.

Individual Contributor
1. Seeks feedback on areas Avoids seeking feedback about Gathers feedback about where Actively seeks feedback from
to develop. what areas to develop, relying to focus own development people with various
on own opinion. efforts. perspectives to identify
priorities for self-development.

2. Identifies clear Struggles to articulate Creates a development plan Creates a thorough and
development goals and development goals and tactics; that states clear goals and the detailed development plan that
tactics. may lack clarity about focus tactics to achieve them. states clear goals and the
areas or not know how to practical steps and tactics
achieve them. needed to achieve them.

3. Takes initiative to practice Does work without looking for Makes an effort to develop and Demonstrates a strong
and apply new knowledge ways to develop or apply new apply new knowledge and skills commitment to development
and skills. knowledge and skills. on the job. by regularly practicing and
applying knowledge and skills;
is quick to share new learning
with others.

1
 Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS)

~ Penn
~ Human Resources
Behavior Needs Improvement Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
4. Seeks additional job Avoids additional job Shows interest in assuming Takes initiative to broaden skills
responsibilities to broaden responsibilities that could additional job responsibilities through additional job
skills. broaden skills; may be content to broaden skills. responsibilities and challenging
with current skill set. assignments.

Supervisor/Manager
1. Aligns own development Creates a development plan Creates development plans Carefully aligns own
plans with the goals and that lacks alignment with the that are aligned with the development plans and career
values of the organization. goals or values of the priorities and values of the aspirations with the goals and
organization; may prioritize organization. values of the organization;
own goals or interests. pursues ways to both enhance
skills and advance
organizational strategy.

2. Continuously improves Puts little effort into enhancing Takes actions to continuously Consistently works to enhance
own leadership own leadership skills. enhance own leadership skills. own leadership skills,
capabilities. expanding capability to lead
people and teams in many
challenging contexts.

3. Models personal Gives low priority to Demonstrates commitment to Actively pursues opportunities
development by development efforts for self or own development and that expand own expertise and
continuously expanding the team. encourages others to expand skills and motivates the team to
own knowledge and skills. their expertise and skills. continuously learn and
develop.

4. Pursues challenging Shows little interest in Takes on stretch assignments Assertively pursues challenging
assignments and career challenging assignments or and career opportunities that assignments and takes charge
opportunities that stretch career opportunities, missing will broaden capabilities. of initiatives that will broaden
and build own capabilities. the chance to build new own capabilities, maximize
capabilities. contribution, and enhance
career success.

Director/Executive
1. Anticipates how changes Identifies personal Considers organization and Monitors changes in the
in the organization or development needs industry dynamics when organization and industry and
industry may impact own irrespective of changing creating own development considers implications for own
developmental needs. dynamics in the organization or plan. development needs; makes
industry. plans to capitalize on upcoming
opportunities.

2. Continuously improves Puts minimal effort into Takes steps to continuously Consistently works to improve
own leadership skills and enhancing own leadership enhance own leadership own leadership skills,
abilities. skills. capabilities. expanding ability to effectively
lead the organization.

3. Shapes an organizational Does little to build a culture Creates a culture that fosters Creates an organizational
culture that supports that fosters individual or career individual and career culture that strongly values and
personal development. development. development. accelerates individual and
career development.

2
 Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS)

~ Penn
~ Human Resources
Behavior Needs Improvement Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
4. Pursues challenging Shows little interest in Takes on stretch assignments Assertively pursues challenging
assignments and career challenging assignments or and career opportunities that assignments and takes charge
opportunities that build career opportunities, missing will broaden capabilities. of initiatives that will broaden
own capabilities. the chance to build new own capabilities, maximize
capabilities. contribution, and enhance
career success.