Necessary Skills

First, what skills should a CI professional possess (regardless of how or when they are acquired)? A 1995 study sheds some light on that question. That study first generated a list of skills needed to undertake CI through interviews with experienced CI professionals, academics, and others. This list was then divided into skills that could be acquired from one of four sources: inherent traits, coursework or teaching, professional experience and expertise, and mentoring. ^[3]

Of particular interest to those establishing or managing a CI unit are skills in the first and fourth groups, that is, those that must already be present or can best be acquired from others in a mentoring relationship. The inherent traits identified include:

• curiosity, flexibility, diplomacy, and persistence

• the ability to withstand pressures toward unethical behavior and to withstand criticism

• the ability to examine both the big picture and small details

• creativity and open-mindedness

• communications and independent learning skills

• analytical ability and business "savvy"

• the ability to be self-critical

• the ability to deal with ambiguity and change with comfort

• networking capabilities

The important skills that can be acquired through mentoring include:

• creativity

• persistence

• strategic thinking

• research skills