Rodrigo Tinoco
January 2025
My name is Rodrigo Tinoco, and over the past few years, I have been deeply reflecting on the areas I should study and develop for the future. This text stems from personal reflection, aiming to organize my study plans and continuous improvement.
As a cross-cultural missionary, my journey has been marked by experience in technology, information management, and data literacy. However, upon reflecting on my role, I realize that these experiences go beyond technical application, and it is this insight I wish to share. Although my education and experiences raise questions that may be useful to other missionaries, I am still in the process of understanding how far my learning can be shared.
Throughout this journey, I have started identifying and better understanding the various 'skills' that impact my missionary work. Terms such as interpersonal skills (soft skills), technical skills (hard skills), specialized technical skills, transferable skills, and portable skills have emerged during my reflections. I confess that I am not an expert in this field, but I have been seeking a deeper understanding of these concepts and how they apply to my ministry.
In particular, the concept of 'Transferable Skills' has caught my attention. They can be viewed in two ways: in a horizontal sense, they are skills I carry with me to each new missionary project; in a vertical sense, within the 'Y-shaped career progression' model, they are competencies that follow and adapt to the different phases of my ministry.
Below, I list some of the main 'Transferable Skills' I have been developing over time. It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and does not follow a specific order:
Cultural Intelligence
Cooperation
Critical Thinking
Data Analysis
Data Visualization
Quick Learning
Planning
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Empathy
Next, I describe these 'Transferable Skills' that I believe I have developed over time, using practical examples from my experience:
Next, I describe these 'Transferable Skills' that I believe I have developed over time, using practical examples from my experience:
1. Cultural Intelligence
Cultural Intelligence is the ability to understand, respect, and adapt to different cultural contexts, a crucial skill for working in global and diverse environments. In my career as a cross-cultural missionary, I have learned to navigate through various cultures, using this skill to communicate and collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, always with sensitivity and respect.
Examples:
2025, Global: Worked with a global network of researchers (e.g., CMIW), using cultural intelligence to adapt collaboration strategies to different cultural realities.
2022, Latin America: Collaborated with indigenous groups (e.g., CONPLEI), using cultural intelligence to understand local needs and sensitivities.
2012, China: Led projects involving local and international networks (e.g., CUP), applying cultural intelligence to promote mutual understanding and effective partnerships.
2. Cooperation
Cooperation is the ability to work harmoniously with others, aligning efforts to achieve common goals. In my journey, especially in missionary and international projects, this skill has been essential to integrate different organizations and individuals around a shared purpose.
Examples:
2025, Latin America: Coordinated a project with 110 organizations from 14 countries (e.g., AGW), facilitating cooperation across diverse cultures and approaches in the context of strategic data.
2023, Brazil: Worked with 25 organizations (e.g., ICMT), fostering mutual cooperation to maximize resources and project outcomes.
2014, China: Volunteered in a project with 55 organizations (e.g., CUP), where my ability to cooperate was essential in uniting different stakeholders and overcoming cultural and logistical challenges in data collection.
3. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is fundamental for analyzing and evaluating information objectively, identifying patterns, causes, and innovative solutions. This skill has been vital in my career as an information management specialist, where I often needed to question traditional approaches and suggest alternatives based on data and evidence.
Examples:
2018, Brasília (BRA): Participated in developing a curriculum for a missionary training center, using critical thinking to adapt content to students' specific needs.
2017, Brazil: As a data analyst, examined over 2 billion data points to assist in strategizing church distribution.
2004, Washington, D.C. (USA): Facilitated diplomats' participation in inter-country meetings, using critical thinking in document management to ensure informed decisions.
4. Data Analysis
Data analysis is the ability to transform large volumes of information into actionable insights. Throughout my career, this skill has enabled me to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement, using data to support strategic decisions in various missionary and organizational contexts.
Examples:
2025, Brazil: In a church saturation project, analyzed location data from 400,000 churches, generating essential insights for strategic planning.
2023, Brazil: Collaborated with 25 organizations to analyze translation data, helping map and direct efforts efficiently.
2020, Brazil: Conducted detailed data analysis in a project involving 7,000 indigenous villages, optimizing resources and maximizing project impact.
5. Data Visualization
Data visualization is the ability to communicate complex insights through clear and intuitive visual representations. This skill was crucial for ensuring that data was understood and utilized by different audiences, facilitating decision-making in large-scale projects.
Examples:
2023, Brazil: Created dashboards for a network of 25 organizations (e.g., ICMT), simplifying data communication for accessibility.
2023, Indigenous Groups: Developed visual data presentations on translations, making information accessible and understandable to local communities.
2017, Brasília: Taught government employees from 19 federal sectors how to develop dashboards and visual reports through the National School of Public Administration (ENAP), helping public servants interpret complex data.
6. Quick Learning
Quick learning is the ability to rapidly acquire new knowledge, crucial for adapting to new technologies, challenges, and contexts. Throughout my career, this skill has been fundamental, especially when dealing with technological innovations in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and GenAI.
Examples:
2025: Quickly learned about Artificial Intelligence and GenAI, applying this knowledge to improve missionary projects and technological initiatives.
2013: Mastered the use of ESRI's ArcGIS, leveraging this knowledge to develop geospatial mapping solutions for missionary projects.
2004: Learned and applied Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification, optimizing IT infrastructure in large technology and information management companies.
7. Planning
Planning is essential to ensure projects are executed in an organized and effective manner. In both missionary and organizational contexts, this skill is vital for setting goals, allocating resources, and strategically handling unforeseen challenges, especially in long-term projects.
Examples:
2025: Designed a three-year church saturation project in Brazil, detailing each phase and required resources.
2016: In a project with indigenous villages, developed long-term strategies to address different cultural and logistical needs.
2011: Created a strategic plan for a two-year project in China, considering the complexity of the local context to ensure successful execution.
8. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving involves identifying and resolving challenges effectively, using creative and practical approaches. This skill has been crucial in my professional journey, where I have often been challenged to find innovative solutions for complex problems, including technology and methodology development in missionary projects.
Examples:
2025, USA: Developed an offline solution for using LLM/GenAI, creating an interactive FAQ and tutorial interface to enhance user experience.
2004, Washington, D.C. (USA): Proposed a new authentication method for military personnel, reducing steps without compromising security.
1999, Brasília (BRA): Identified solutions to improve security and information integrity in the Brazilian Senate's Information Management Project.
9. Adaptability
Adaptability is the ability to quickly adjust to new contexts, challenges, and changes. In my career as a cross-cultural missionary, this skill has been fundamental in navigating different cultural, political, and technological environments, ensuring success in various projects.
Examples:
2024: Led a global project on GenAI, adapting teaching strategies for partners in 10 countries in just three months.
2020, Brazil: Worked with diverse groups, including American, indigenous, and quilombola leaders, always adjusting my approach to the specificities of each culture.
2000 and 2012: Moved between countries four times (to and from), managing cultural and linguistic challenges: from Brazil to the USA (2000) and from Brazil to China (2012).
10. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is the ability to ensure quality and precision in all project phases, focusing on aspects that might otherwise go unnoticed. This skill has been critical in my work on missionary projects, where precision and meticulous care are essential for success and trust among stakeholders.
Examples:
2020-2024, Brazil: Led the creation of an audio Bible access project, involving over 500 partners and distributing 40,000 copies in 2,000 municipalities, with careful attention to every step.
2020-2024, Global: Reviewed written content to correct errors and improve material quality, maintaining high standards of excellence.
1998-1999, Brasília: Worked as a bookkeeper, rigorously reviewing financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
11. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand others' emotions and perspectives, essential for building trust and fostering a healthy working environment. This skill has been fundamental in my missionary work, where engaging with diverse communities requires a sensitive and understanding approach.
Examples:
2023: Worked with missionaries serving Roma, riverine, and rural communities, always using an empathetic approach to understand and respect their needs.
2017, Brazil: Collaborated with indigenous cultures, demonstrating empathy in understanding their challenges and working on appropriate solutions.
2012, China: Adapted to the cultural realities of different groups, adjusting my approach according to the specificities of each context.
Conclusion
This personal assessment has given me a clearer vision of how my 'Transferable Skills' have been applied throughout my missionary career. Now, I can more precisely identify how these skills can be replicated and enhanced in new phases of my ministry. With this deeper understanding, I can better direct my development, maximizing my contribution to the projects I am involved in and expanding my impact on the diverse communities I serve.
Recently, I have been reflecting on the 'missionary career' with a more strategic approach, using the 'Y-shaped career' model. Unlike the traditionally generalist progression, which would take me from coordinator to manager, director, and eventually president, I have chosen to follow the 'specialist path.' In the specialist track, I envision stages such as consultant, specialist, researcher, and advisor, offering a perspective more aligned with my calling and the specific challenges of my ministry. This approach helps me focus my studies and preparations, allowing me to act more effectively and purposefully in God’s Mission, adapting to different phases and needs throughout my ministerial journey.
Would you like any modifications or additional refinements?
Comentários