WHAT IS A COMPETENCY?
There are various definitions given for the term competency. Combining the basic ideas embedded in all definitions, competency can be defined as:
“ A combination of knowledge, skills, attitude and personality of an individual as applied to a role or job in the context of the present and future environment, that accounts for sustained success within the framework of Organizational Values.”
Sometimes competencies are also defined as “ cluster of successful behaviors.”
FIVE TYPES OF COMPETENCY CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Motives: the things a person consistently thinks about or wants that cause action. Motives “ drive, direct, and select” behavior toward certain actions or goals and away from others.
E.g. Achievement-motivated people consistently set challenging goals for themselves and use feedback to do better.
2. Traits: physical characteristics and consistent response to situation or information.
E.g. reaction time and good eyesight are physical trait competencies of combat pilots.
3. Self-concept: A person’s attitude, values, or self-image.
E.g. Self-confidence, a person’s belief that he can be effective in any situation is a part of that person’s concept of self.
4. Knowledge: Information a person has in specific content areas
E.g. A surgeon’s knowledge of nerves and muscles in the human body.
Skill: The ability to perform a certain physical or mental task.
E.g. A dentist’s physical skill to fill a tooth without damaging the nerve.
The type or level of a competency has practical implications for human resource planning. Knowledge and skills tend to be visible and relatively surface, characteristics of people. But attitude, trait and motive comp ...