Intrapersonal Competency

Definition:

The ability to be aware of one’s own emotions, desires, thoughts, and behaviors as well as one’s positionality and role in global society and in the local community. Intrapersonal competency involves the ability to reflect and act with self-awareness and to regulate, motivate, and continually evaluate one’s actions and improve oneself, drawing on and developing emotional intelligence and resilience.

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This key competency is critical, as it centers human agency in sustainability problem-solving processes. These processes are intense, involving existential questions that impact people’s mental and physical health. Intrapersonal competency fosters abilities for self-care, building psychological, spiritual, and physical resilience for continuing sustainability work and extending care and compassion to others. Mindsets are the most effective leverage points to intervene when aiming for transformative (systemic) change (Meadows, 1999). Certain mindsets facilitate motivation for sustainability transformations more than others (Schwartz, 2022). Fostering the ability for self-awareness and self-regulation opens opportunities for awareness of one’s own values and biases and how they shape choices related to sustainability.

Check Your Understanding

Now that you have investigated the Intrapersonal-Thinking competency, it's time to check your understanding of the concepts covered in this section. Consider the terms below then click each to reveal their definitions.

Intersectionality

The dynamics of multiple social categories experienced together (ex: race and gender)

Emotional intelligence

Understanding and managing your own emotions and the emotions of others

Self-regulation

Managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself

Personal resilience

The ability to respond to stressful or unexpected situations

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY:

Review the Intrapersonal-Thinking Competency page in your workbook then complete the Apply Intrapersonal-Thinking activity.

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