Understanding the New ECQs

The following post takes a closer look at Understanding the New ECQs.

Forget the old ECQs – there’s a new standard for executive leadership. And if you’re applying for an SES role, you’ll need to understand exactly what’s changed.

Read: Navigating Major SES Changes

Related: Best Federal Resume Writing Services

For the first time in nearly two decades, the federal government has overhauled the process and criteria used to evaluate SES candidates through the ECQs.

Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

When the Merit Hiring Plan was announced in May 2025, it brought major changes to the Senior Executive Service (SES) – including the first update to the ECQs since 2006.

While the ECQs still consist of five core qualifications, their definitions and underlying leadership behaviors have been substantially revised. Below is additional formation on the new ECQs.

For full details, you can review the official SES Hiring Memo outlining all the proposed changes.

New ECQ Methods

Before unveiling the new ECQs, it’s important to mention how ECQs are communicated is also changing.

Submitting ECQs used to be a straight forward (but painful) process. You would put together a two-page essay for each of the five different ECQs (totaling 10 pages) and be done with it.

However, with the new ECQ methods, structured interviews are being used to assess your ECQs, which means you’ll be speaking them instead of simply writing them on paper.

Basically, you’ll need to be ready to deliver your ECQs both verbally and in writing. Either way, you’re expected to craft them in the CCAR format (Challenge, Context, Action, Result).

Here are the new ECQ methods:

• Method (a) Structured Interview – Verbally articulate your ECQ stories in response to targeted leadership questions during a formal interview setting.
• Method (b) One-Page Narrative Statements – Submit one-page narrative statements for each of the five ECQs (totaling five pages).
• Method (c) Integrated Federal Resume – Submit a two-page Federal Resume that weaves the five ECQs directly into your work history.

Old ECQs

Here are the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) from 2006 to 2025:

• ECQ 1: Leading Change
• ECQ 2: Leading People
• ECQ 3: Results Driven
• ECQ 4: Business Acumen
• ECQ 5: Building Coalitions

New ECQs

With the announcement of the Merit Hiring Plan in 2025, these became the new ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence
• ECQ 4: Leading People
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results

ECQ Subcompetencies

It’s worth noting that each of the five ECQs has multiple subcompetencies attributed to that ECQ.

For example, when writing an ECQ essay for Driving Efficiency (ECQ #2), remember it includes three subcomponents: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, and Leveraging Technology.

When you’re outlining your ECQs, remember to account for all three subcomponents (not just the high-level ECQ). Your story should clearly reflect how you meet each one.

ECQ #1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding

“Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.”

Subcompetencies:

• Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.

• Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.

• Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.

Summary / Analysis:

Interestingly, this ECQ has a much longer title than all the others. Maybe that means it’s more important? Either way, this one is about demonstrating your deep understanding of American democratic principles and your commitment to public service. Reviewers are looking for evidence that you appreciate the foundational values of the U.S. government and apply them in your decision-making. It also requires showing that you act in the public interest. Civic awareness, impartiality, and a principled approach to leadership are central themes here.

Sample Ideas for ECQ #1:

• Ensuring fair implementation of a policy with constitutional implications

• Navigating political pressure while upholding legal and ethical standards

• Aligning an agency initiative with a new presidential directive or national interest

• Leading an ethics-driven response to a public controversy or audit

• Reinforcing equal treatment and democratic values across programs or services

ECQ #2: Driving Efficiency

“Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.”

Subcompetencies:

• Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.

• Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.

• Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.

Summary / Analysis:

ECQ #2 focuses on how well you optimize resources (time, money, staff, and systems) to deliver better outcomes. It’s about reducing waste and increasing organizational performance through budget discipline, operational planning, and technology adoption. Reviewers want to see how you think strategically about resource management and drive improvements without compromising mission delivery. Efficiency here isn’t just financial –  it’s also structural and technological.

Sample Ideas for ECQ #2:

• Consolidating contracts or vendors to achieve cost savings

• Introducing new software or automation to streamline operations

• Leading a major budget realignment to fund priority initiatives

• Reducing staffing inefficiencies through process redesign

• Implementing technology upgrades that improved service speed or quality

ECQ #3: Merit and Competence

“Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.”

Subcompetencies:

• Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.

• Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems.

• Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.

Summary / Analysis:

ECQ #3 is about being highly capable and consistently reliable in your area of expertise. It also highlights your ability to solve problems effectively, work through ambiguity, and adapt to challenges. Reviewers want to see technical credibility, critical thinking, and the ability to maintain high performance even under pressure. ECQ #3 is a good place to demonstrate how you build trust as a go-to leader by delivering exceptional results.

Sample Ideas for ECQ #3:

• Solving a complex operational or policy challenge through technical expertise

• Leading a mission-critical project under intense deadlines or scrutiny

• Responding to a rapidly evolving crisis with effective, decisive action

• Driving continuous improvement or quality control initiatives

• Innovating within your subject matter area to improve outcomes

ECQ #4: Leading People

“Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.”

Subcompetencies:

• Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.

• Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.

• Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.

Summary / Analysis:

ECQ #4 focuses on your ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performing teams — and to hold them accountable. It’s about setting a tone of excellence, investing in employee growth, and making hard personnel decisions when necessary. Reviewers want to see leadership that is both empowering and disciplined — capable of navigating change, addressing underperformance, and creating space for others to develop.

Sample Story Ideas:

• Turning around a disengaged or underperforming team

• Leading a team through a difficult reorganization or cultural shift

• Mentoring and promoting talent within your organization

• Managing conflict between team members with a fair, strategic approach

• Building a team from scratch or integrating staff after a merger

ECQ #5: Achieving Results

“Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.”

Subcompetencies:

• Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.

• Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.

• Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

Summary / Analysis:

ECQ #5 is all about execution — getting things done in alignment with organizational goals and producing meaningful outcomes. Reviewers are looking for strategic follow-through, innovation, and the ability to connect vision to measurable success. Your story should show that you didn’t just set a direction — you moved it forward, cleared obstacles, and delivered value at scale.

Sample Story Ideas:

• Launching a new program that delivered results aligned with agency goals

• Reorganizing an operational process that increased productivity or impact

• Using performance metrics to drive improvements in service delivery

• Leading a long-term initiative from idea to full implementation

• Aligning multiple departments to achieve a strategic outcome

Selecting Your ECQ Stories

Now that you’re familiar with the new ECQs, the best way to begin is by brainstorming about your career and starting to outline potential stories for each of the five ECQs.

Crafting strong ECQs takes a lot more than just good writing. You need to know your stories inside and out if you’re going to speak confidently about them in an interview.

That’s why it’s worth taking time to reflect on your most impactful leadership experiences and how they align with each ECQ and its subcomponents.

For more about this topic, check out: Tips for Selecting Your ECQ Stories

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article is helpful for getting acquainted with the new ECQs. As the SES application process evolves, understanding both the content and context of these changes is essential.

If you need help navigating this process or professional assistance building your ECQs, my team and I are here to support you. Please use the Contact Us or Submit Your Resume for a risk-free evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!