The Personal Skills Needed At Work
Get to Know the Science
The DNA (Competencies) assessment measures the development of 25 personal skills (or soft skills) required in any job, ranking them from ‘developed’ to ‘needs development’.
Our research has shown that, for many jobs, personal skills are just as important as technical skills in producing superior performance. Personal skills are often transferable to different jobs, whereas technical skills are usually more specific.
DNA helps:
- Guide professional development
- Improve organizational performance
- Support targeted coaching and training
- Enhance role alignment
- Identify strengths and development opportunities
More Than a Skills Report
TTI DNA is a clear, structured story of how an individual connects with others, thinks through challenges, and gets work done.
- Thinking: Skills that support analysis, creativity, learning, and judgment
- Working: Skills that drive execution, initiative, and goal-directed action
- Relating: Skills that build trust, connection, and collaboration with others
Each skill is presented in a consistent, easy-to-follow format—explaining what the skill is, how it shows up, what others notice, and simple ways to grow—keeping the focus on real workplace application, not theory.
DNA Examines These Skills:
Thinking
Continuous Learning
Futuristic Thinking
Creativity and Innovation
Conceptual Thinking
Tactical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving
Working
Resiliency
Personal Accountability
Flexibility
Goal Orientation
Self-starting
Time and Priority Management
Project Management
Relating
Recognizing Potential
Customer Focus
Appreciating Others
Interpersonal Skills
Employee Development/Coaching
Teamwork
Creating Alignment
Conflict Management
Influencing Others
Diplomacy
Negotiation
The TTI DNA Report provides clear, strategic, and actionable insights that empower individuals to create a meaningful Personal Development Plan on their own—far beyond generalized observations. The stand‑alone report gives people ownership of their growth with practical steps they can immediately apply.
At Dale Carnegie, we use the DNA Report as the foundation of an individual’s personal and professional development journey. It allows us to pinpoint specific skills to elevate during our programs and helps participants approach growth in a focused, strategic way. Even more valuable, the report serves as a long‑term development tool that continues to deliver insight and impact well beyond the moment.
Companies use DNA for:
Hiring &
Selection
Team
Building
Professional
Development
Succession
Planning
Two Ways to
Work With Us
Whether you are a leader who wants to use assessments in your organization or a consultant who wants to use them with your clients, you’re in the right place. Working with TTI is easy!