Achieving Personal Effectiveness Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

This Course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instructions, take Achieving Personal Effectiveness.

This course equips participants with practical tools to improve personal effectiveness in the workplace. Participants explore professionalism, self-accountability, proactive mindset, and communication, then apply those concepts through self-assessment, reflection, and skill-building activities. The course includes the DiSC assessment to help participants identify their strengths, work style, and growth areas, along with strategies for adapting communication with peers, supervisors, direct reports, clients, and other stakeholders.

Participants also practice concrete techniques for workplace success, including accountable behaviors, assertive communication, conflict resolution, “I” messages, the SBI feedback model, and goal setting using SMART goals. The course further supports federal professional development by helping participants connect their strengths and growth areas to OPM competencies and KSAs, and by guiding them in building actionable plans for continued growth.

Full Tuition

$1,049
Due before the class starts

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

125+ departments & agencies served

Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.

100% Online. Start Anytime

24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Sample credential for completion of Achieving Personal Effectiveness Course (Self-Paced)

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Achieving Personal Effectiveness Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Show effectiveness through your behavior, accountability, professionalism, communication, and mindset.
Use accountable practices in both personal and professional situations.
Recognize your strengths, current skills, and areas for growth.
Use clear, effective language to give direction, offer feedback, and resolve conflicts professionally.
Explain how personal effectiveness affects communication with peers, direct reports, clients, and supervisors.
Identify steps to improve your personal effectiveness.
Use strategies for goal setting and planning.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Gaining Effectiveness through Analyzing Behaviors, Accountability, Professionalism, Communication Skills, and Mindset

Understand the role of professionalism, communication, and mindset in effectiveness
Evaluate personal behaviors and how they impact workplace interactions
Define and practice self-accountability and effective communication
Develop a proactive mindset aligned with personal values

Module 2: Apply Accountability Practices in Personal and Professional Situations

Recognize accountable behaviors across various settings
Apply effective communication and responsibility strategies
Create a culture of accountability in teams and organizations
Use lead and lag measures to focus on outcomes

Module 3: Identifying Strengths, Existing Skills, and Areas that Need Developing

Use the DiSC profile to assess personality and communication styles
Reflect on current strengths and professional competencies
Identify personal development areas using OPM competencies

Module 4: Using Effective Language

Apply assertive communication styles using SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact)
Adapt communication to DiSC personality styles
Resolve conflict using “I” statements and emotional intelligence techniques

Module 5: The Impact of Personal Effectiveness

Recognize how personal style and communication affect workplace relationships
Use head, heart, and hands strategies to influence others positively
Leverage trust, visibility, and clear communication to enhance influence

Module 6: The Steps to Become More Personally Effective

Set SMART goals for ongoing growth and improvement
Identify professional development resources and learning opportunities
Reflect on self-talk and shift to a growth-oriented mindset

Module 7: Strategies for Goal Setting and Planning

Develop short- and long-term professional and personal goals
Align values with desired career outcomes
Create an action plan for continuous self-improvement

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,049.00	Total You Pay