Competency Development

People develop competencies through a continuous process of practice, reflection and experimentation. The key elements of this process are:-

1. Recognition of the competency: sufficient understanding of the competency to be able to differentiate it clearly from other competencies and spot it in action in one's own self and in others.

2. Understanding the competency and how it relates to effectiveness in the job: deeper understanding of the competency in terms of its cause and effect; i.e. the underlying nature of the competency and how it relates to superior performance.

3. Self-assessment or feedback on the competency: relating thoughts, feelings and actions to the competency's behavioural indicators.

4. Experimentation with demonstrating the competency, or demonstrating it at a higher level of effectiveness: experimenting with different ways of thinking and acting in specific situations, to find the most appropriate personal approach.

5. Practice using the competency in job situations: practising new behaviours and thought patterns in real job situations to refine ways of thinking and acting that relate to the competency.

6. Application of the competency in the context of other characteristics and the requirements of the job: applying the competencies in conjunction with one another in a range of situations and problems encountered in the job.

7. Developing overall approach to the job: integrating newly acquired ways of thinking and acting into to a personal style which emphasises strengths whilst minimising the impact of weaknesses.

The competency development approach works best when supported by accurate assessments of capability and a coach or mentor.