What’s a competency again? 🛠️

Competencies are the building blocks of any successful career framework, yet they’re often misunderstood. Put simply, a competency is a combination of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that enable someone to perform their job effectively.

Think of competencies as the “how” behind job performance. While job descriptions outline tasks and responsibilities, competencies describe the qualities and capabilities required to excel in those tasks. They bridge the gap between what’s expected and how it’s achieved.

 For example:

• Skill: The ability to create compelling marketing campaigns.

• Knowledge: Understanding of target audience behaviours and market trends.

• Behaviour: Demonstrating creativity and adaptability under tight deadlines.

 When well-defined, competencies help organisations:

• Recruit the right talent by clearly outlining what’s needed for success;

• Support career development by identifying areas for growth; and

• Build cohesive teams by aligning individual strengths with organisational goals, and helping evaluators with more objective assessments.

Competencies are the flavour of the month at the moment for clients. With development of key talent a critical driver of retention, defining competencies is key!