Skills and competencies

Skills and competencies - Everyone has a specific personality structure. Personality, can be called a certain meta-level, which includes, two areas extremely important from the point of view of professional success: competencies and skills. This is what we are looking for in our new employees and we develop them in us, because we would like to achieve better and more professional success.

The word "skills" and "competencies" are used interchangeably, as if they were synonyms. However this is a mistake. Competencies and skills differ from each other. Understanding this differences helps us in better management and better selection of the staff to the company .

Skills and competencies - difference

Skills - We gain skills during our development by learning and knowing new things. They are relatively independent of our emotions or beliefs, although they are strongly related to talent and predispositions to specific things. We can say that each person, spending his energy and time on learning, can acquire specific skills, although not everyone can develop these skills at the same level. Skill is something you can learn.

Competencies are features related to the way of thinking, creating relationships and acting in a specific way. They influence on the functioning of a person in his professional life. Competences are influenced by motivation, conviction, experience and ability and emotionality too. Competences are not something permanent - with the development of a human, he gain further competences, and these involve further ones. Just as each of us is a process, our competences are an ever-expanding collection of elements. What's more, each competency can be improved and we can make it better, although we should remember that not every competency will come to each of us with the same ease. It is impossible to determinate once forever if someone has given competence or not. The competencies measuremenr is a complex process. Most of theoreticians agree that we can objectively do it only on the basis of a set of abservable behaviors.

This show us a clear conclusion for employers and recruiters who, instead of focusing only on the employee's past professional performance, should also focus on assessing their potential to acquire new competences. Therefore, currently aware employers emphasize flexibility and the ability to adapt as key to taking a given position .

Types of skills and competencies

Skills and competencies of employee are key factor for achieving high efficiency of work in organization. Most common skill and competencies are:

• competence related to aptitudes, employee's potential, development opportunities and talent to gain new competences
• skills related to abilities necessary for success in a specific task at work
• competence related to knowledge, preparation for specific tasks, specialization, administrative position within organization
• physical competences and job requirements, e.g. physical fitness, agility
• competences related to the style of operation, goal setting, ability to plan and organizational skills
• competences related to personality, effectiveness of dealing with specific types of social situations
• competences related to principles and values, beliefs and motives of actions
• competencies related to interests, preferences for specific tasks and line of work or environment
• competencies related to experience in working in similar work position
• knowledge end education in performing specific tasks
• skills and abilities in areas of self management and self-control
• competences connected to development of skills needed on the workplace

The ability to use by person his knowledge, skills, system values and personality traits, in connection with his occupation the specific workplace is usually about the successes achieved at work .

Examples of Skills and competencies

• Communication skills: Being able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing is essential to successful career development. This includes the ability to listen and understand, as well as the ability to express oneself clearly and concisely.
• Problem-solving skills: Being able to identify and analyze problems, as well as develop solutions, is a valuable competency. This involves the ability to think critically and creatively and to identify patterns, connections, and trends in data.
• Leadership skills: Having the ability to lead a team and direct others is an important competency for any professional. This involves setting goals, developing strategies, delegating tasks, and providing feedback.
• Interpersonal skills: Being able to work effectively with others is essential for success in any professional environment. This involves the ability to build relationships, work cooperatively, and resolve conflicts.
• Time management skills: Being able to manage one’s time effectively is a valuable competency. This involves setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and staying organized.
• Adaptability: Being able to adjust to changing situations and environments is an important competency. This involves the ability to learn quickly, think on one’s feet, and adapt to new situations.

Advantages of Skills and competencies

Skills and competencies can offer a range of advantages for personal and professional development. These include:

• Improved performance - having the right skills and competencies can help individuals to perform better in any activity they undertake, from the mundane to the challenging. This can lead to greater success in achieving goals and objectives.
• Improved self-confidence - having the right skills and competencies can help to build self-confidence, which in turn can help individuals to take on more challenging tasks, and to develop further skills and competencies.
• Increased job satisfaction - having the right skills and competencies can help individuals to find more effective and efficient ways of performing tasks, which can lead to greater job satisfaction.
• Increased employability - having the right skills and competencies can help individuals to stand out in the job market and become more attractive to potential employers.
• Improved career progression - having the right skills and competencies can help individuals to move up in the workplace and develop their careers further.
• Improved communication - having the right skills and competencies can help individuals to communicate more effectively with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.

Limitations of Skills and competencies

• Skills and competencies are limited by the individual's natural abilities, experience, and education. While some people are naturally gifted in certain areas, they may not have the same skills or competencies in other areas.
• Skills and competencies can also be limited by external factors, such as cultural norms, economic conditions, and political environments. These external forces can make it difficult for individuals to develop the skills and competencies needed to succeed in their chosen profession.
• Limited access to resources, such as training courses, mentors, and technology, can also limit the development of skills and competencies. Without these resources, individuals may lack the ability to acquire the necessary skills and competencies.
• Finally, skills and competencies can be limited by an individual's confidence and motivation. If an individual does not believe in themselves or their ability to succeed, they may not be willing to put in the effort needed to develop the skills and competencies necessary for success.

Other approaches related to Skills and competencies

Other approaches related to Skills and competencies include:

• Self-awareness: Being aware of one's own strengths and weaknesses, and having the ability to self-reflect, is an important skill that can help us identify our areas of improvement, and plan our professional growth.
• Self-direction: Self-direction involves being able to set goals and objectives, and to take the necessary steps to achieve them. It also involves being able to recognize and capitalize on opportunities that arise.
• Interpersonal skills: Interpersonal skills refer to the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others, as well as to recognize and manage interpersonal conflicts.
• Adaptability: Adaptability is the ability to adjust and respond to changing situations, as well as to quickly learn new skills or processes.
• Problem-solving: Problem-solving entails being able to recognize and analyze a problem, and then to develop and implement a solution.
• Resilience: Resilience involves the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and to stay motivated and focused in the face of challenges.

In short, other approaches related to Skills and competencies include self-awareness, self-direction, interpersonal skills, adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience. All of these skills are important for professional success, and can be developed through practice and continual learning.

Skills and competencies — recommended articles

Internal motivation — Belbin team roles — Belbin team role inventory — Process of learning — Leadership competencies — Management styles — Learning organization — Ability to work in a team — Cross-cultural leadership

References

• Andrews J., Higson H. (2008) Graduate Employability, ‘Soft Skills’ Versus ‘Hard’ Business Knowledge: A European Study "Higher Education in Europe" p. 411-422
• Moore, L. L., & Rudd, R. D. (2004). Leadership skills and competencies for extension directors and administrators. Journal of Agricultural Education, 45(3), 22-33.
• Oates T. (2002) Key Skills/Key Competencies: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Current Initiatives "Contributions to the Second DeSeCo Symposium" p. 171-180
• Orinos N. (2012) Skills and Competencies "International Journal of Business and Social Research" p. 53-73

Footnotes

Author: Weronika Cyganik