Competency

Competency is a skill or trait that drives performance on the job. Competency is measured by the knowledge and skills required to perform a job successfully. It can also be referred to as a «capability».

As you can see from the definition of a competency, it is a combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that enables an individual to perform a job effectively. A skill, on the other hand, is a specific ability or expertise that an individual has acquired through learning or experience. Competencies encompass a broader range of attributes than skills, and they are often used to describe a person's overall performance and suitability for a job.

Here are some types of competencies with examples:

• Technical competencies are specific knowledge and skills required for a particular job or industry, such as programming languages or medical procedures.
• Behavioral competencies are personality traits and behaviors that enable an individual to work effectively in a team, communicate well, and adapt to change.
• Leadership competencies are skills and abilities required for leadership roles, such as decision-making, strategic thinking, and inspiring others.
• Functional competencies are specific to a particular function or department within a company, such as finance or marketing.

The most successful businesses have clear and consistent competencies, which they use to evaluate their employees' performance. These companies link their business strategies with what they want from their workforce, then define those requirements in terms of skills and attributes needed for success. They also measure how well each employee performs against these expectations.

The following are some examples of how companies can use employee competency:

• To recruit new staff members who possess the right mix of skills and abilities for specific jobs within your organization (for example, recruiting managers who have strong leadership abilities)
• As part of an employee development plan to help employees develop areas where they may need improvement (for example, developing leadership skills)

Companies need to assess their employees' competencies because it is an effective way of evaluating if the job is done right, improving employee performance, and helping employees develop. It also helps companies find new jobs for those who are not performing well.