Understanding the relationship between competencies and skills

The educational and corporate world often blur the lines between "competencies" and "skills,” when using the terms interchangeably. It is crucial to grasp their distinctive aspects, especially HR experts and individuals who are keen on honing their competency skills.

Competencies refer to the behaviors, attributes, and underlying characteristics that drive someone's success in a role. Skills or ‘competency skills’ are the specific learned abilities that enable someone to execute tasks.

This article dives into the aspects that set competencies apart from skills, explores their interrelation, and highlights their importance within professional settings.

What are Competency Skills?

The skills, knowledge, and behaviors needed to do a job well are called competencies. For example, a project manager needs to be able to lead, communicate, and solve problems. The competency skills to achieve those competencies must be things such as:

• Motivating and delegating tasks to team members (leadership)
• Facilitating productive meetings and addressing conflicts (communication)
• Identifying risks, evaluating options, and making strategic decisions (problem-solving)

Competencies provide a broad framework for success in a position, but competency skills give the tactical tools to achieve them.

Their Complementary Nature

Competencies provide foundation and guidance for developing competency skills. Skills are built through practice and applying knowledge. It is a symbiotic relationship where each component strengthens the other.

For example, “oral communication” is a competency. The ability to speak clearly, listen actively and engage with audience are related competency skills.

While competencies remain fairly static, skills can always be expanded and improved over time with deliberate practice.

Contextual Adaptation

Competency skills are specific and task oriented. Competencies are more adaptable to different job positions. For instance, the ability to analyze spreadsheets as a specific skill is a wider competency in data management.

It is imperative to choose skills that are the best fit and adjust as needed. You may emphasize certain skills over others or tweak how to apply them.

Competency skills empower employees to navigate a variety of situations. Competencies are only as powerful as the ability to adapt the skills that manifest them.

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Assessment and Evaluation

Evaluate the related competency skills to properly assess competencies.

Observation

The most effective way to assess competency skills is through direct observation. Watching someone perform a task in a real or simulated environment provides insight into their abilities that a written test alone cannot.

Evaluation

After careful observation, evaluate performance against the expected competency level. For the competency skills, determine whether they meet, exceed, or do not meet expectations.

Competencies provide the foundation. Evaluating related skills through observation and assessment helps paint a complete picture of someone's actual abilities. Monitor, re-assess and provide feedback to keep competency skills sharp and up to date.

Professional Development

Professional development activities are essential in growing one’s career. Take online courses or in-person workshops on topics that align with career goals. Ask to shadow a colleague. Work with a career coach or mentor. Keep competencies and competency skills up to date for career advancement.

By assessing current skills and knowledge, identifying any areas where to improve, and developing a plan to address those gaps one advances to the next level. Take advantage of any opportunities to strengthen knowledge and abilities.

Organizational Performance

Competencies provide a framework for identifying, developing, and managing skills that drive performance. For any organization, the key is determining which competency skills are most critical based on its vision, values, and strategic goals.

• Identifying key competencies helps focus efforts and resources.
• Competencies provide a common language for discussing competency skills and performance. At an individual level, competency skills point to areas for growth and development. Employees can pursue opportunities to strengthen key competencies and advance their careers.

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Conclusion

Competencies and competency skills are important for career and personal success. These two concepts are complementary in nature and best applied in their own contextual adaptations. They help in employee assessment and evaluation, professional development, and organizational performance.

Focus on developing both competencies and skills through continuous learning and practice. Round out competencies through experiences. Consistently strengthen competency skills through deliberate practice and repetition.

Nurture both to establish a solid foundation to achieve goals and build a rewarding career and life.