Experienced Professionals

The nine Foundational Competencies complement the IBM values and outline the characteristics and behaviours identified as essential for achieving success at IBM:

• Adaptability

  You are able to demonstrate flexibility when dealing with changing demands and uncertainty, modifying your goals and direction as needed.

• Client focus

  You understand clients' business, needs and goals. You build rapport quickly, anticipating their needs and responding appropriately.

• Communication

  You communicate openly and honestly, in a concise and organised way – matching your communication style and method to your audience and situation.

• Creative problem solving

  You are able to apply logical methods to solve problems; conducting thorough analysis, anticipating problems and considering alternative and creative solutions.

• Drive to achieve

  You are committed to success and will actively seek to acquire new knowledge and skills and accomplish challenging goals.

• Passion for the business

  Your enthusiasm and pride in your work inspires others.

• Taking Ownership

  You identify and take responsibility for tasks and decision making.

• Teamwork and collaboration

  You are able to collaborate and work effectively with other individuals and teams - respecting and valuing others' differences to achieve win-win situations.

• Trustworthiness

  You are able to demonstrate integrity and professionalism in dealing with both clients and colleagues.

IBM leaders exhibit a set of characteristics that has enabled them to excel. We look for these characteristics in our future leaders to ensure we win in the marketplace, meet the changing requirements of our business strategy and lead us to excellence in the industry and in the marketplace. Throughout the company, IBM leaders are encouraged to demonstrate these competencies at the highest levels to help transform the enterprise and win in the marketplace.

• Client partnering

  Leaders create enduring client relationships (both internal and external) based on trust, credibility and relevance.

• Collaborative influence

  Leaders create and promote cross-boundary collaboration to do the right thing for IBM and its clients, regardless of formal authority.

• Embracing challenge

  Leaders find complex and challenging situations energizing and get others enthused and focused on the core issues in complex situations.

• Thinking horizontally

  Leaders think creatively and across boundaries, making connections across the various parts of IBM, partners and suppliers to see new opportunities for growth and innovation.

• Informed judgment

  Leaders make timely decisions by balancing the need for action with the need for a fact-based perspective that optimizes use of data, intuition and expertise.

• Strategic risk taking

  Leaders constantly scan the environment for growth potential and pursue these opportunities tenaciously, even in the face of significant risk and despite resistance.

• Earning trust

  Leaders develop mutual trust with people inside and outside of IBM based on respect, integrity, positive regard and an appreciation of the uniqueness of every person.

• Enabling performance and growth

  Leaders anticipate and remove obstacles that interfere with people's ability to pursue business performance and growth.

• Developing IBM people and communities

  Leaders commit significant time and effort to develop themselves and other individuals, teams, and communities in IBM.

• Passion for IBM's future

  Leaders are passionate about IBM's capabilities and opportunities for impacting the world, and deeply believe in the quality and breadth of IBM's exceptional capability.