The Importance of Knowing Competencies in the Work Environment

Job skills & Competencies

More and more leaders realize that teams made up of highly competent and efficient individuals are what lead the company to customer and global recognition. These teams are composed of dedicated and committed professionals who understand the importance and impact that their work has on the company’s success. Thanks to their experience, skills, and specialized knowledge, these teams can address the challenges and demands of today’s business environment effectively and efficiently.

Work competencies, often referred to as job competencies, are the skills, knowledge, and personal attributes that an individual brings to a job. These competencies reside in the person, in terms of cognitive, affective, motivational, behavioral characteristics or attributes, aptitudes, dispositions, and skills, among other things, that each person occupies for the performance of work activities.

In today’s market, the development of competencies places the worker at a competitive advantage by allowing them to acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are differentiating and difficult to copy. The environment in which organizations operate is subject to a profoundly changing and highly competitive context, in which those organizations that maintain a competitive advantage in the business network can obtain greater profitability that allows them to grow. A fundamental element in providing this competitive advantage is the ability to develop and manage resources and capabilities, renewing or recreating them through competencies. By investing in the recruitment, selection, and development of talented and motivated individuals, bosses are ensuring the company’s sustained growth and success over the long term.

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The future of skills in the workplace

Updating and constant learning will be one of the main competencies required in these teams, not only at a technical level but also in team management and the development of communication and creative skills. We are moving away from looking for talent that possesses a specific set of skills needed for a specific project to looking for talent that possesses a set of skills that allow them to adapt to new projects or needs.

At a time when uncertainty is so present, having a workforce of profiles with knowledge and experience in different subjects is becoming a much more valuable asset than hiring experts in a single area. Investing in the development and acquisition of personal, emotional, and technical skills to achieve the highest possible levels will not only increase the levels of employability in an increasingly changing market. However, it will also contribute to the substantial and competitive improvement of the sector.

In this sense, it is necessary to consider that the competencies and skills of a team in the work environment not only impact their current performance but also influence their ability to adapt and their long-term success. It is crucial to understand that:

• A highly competent team fulfills its current responsibilities effectively and prepares itself to meet future challenges and respond flexibly to market and industry changes.
• A competent team not only possesses technical knowledge and experience in their area but also has effective communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively, problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability.
• A competent team has the ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities for growth and improvement, as well as to overcome challenges and obstacles. This involves constantly learning, acquiring new skills and knowledge, and being open to change.
• A team that stays up-to-date and adaptable is more likely to stay relevant and successful in a work environment that is constantly evolving and changing.

These competencies allow for the development of strong relationships between team members, which in turn promotes a healthy and productive work environment. Investing in the development of teams' competencies and skills is essential to ensuring their long-term success.

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The responsibility of Managers

As managers or team leaders, we have a great responsibility in front of our teams. Our role is not just to focus on delivering results and seeing that the work is done, but also to know, train, direct, accommodate, and develop our team so that it is highly effective. We must be able to recognize the skills and particularities of our team, and identify the skills and competencies that are needed to deliver the work.

To the extent that we as managers have clarity of the goal and a thorough understanding of what needs to be done, the more likely we are to be able to put together the team we need. For this reason, we must be clear about the process and detailed activities of what will be done so that we can define the responsibilities of each role and end up defining the competencies that best suit what the team will do.

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Performance evaluations by competencies.

Evaluations should be a detailed and thorough process that allows for objective analysis and evaluation of employees' performance and skills about the goals and objectives of the organization. To carry out these assessments effectively, the key competencies and skills that each role must have must be identified and know how to be strengthened or acquired to ensure a highly competent and efficient workforce. Through these assessments, areas for improvement and opportunities for personal and professional growth can be detected for employees, resulting in an increase in both individual and collective productivity.

In addition, these assessments also help identify competency gaps in the organization and design specific development and training programs to close those gaps. In summary, competency-based performance appraisals are an essential and valuable tool for identifying the necessary competencies and fostering the growth and development of employees and the organization.

Competence is a great creator of confidence. – Mary Jo Putney

Let your people know in what are the needs of the job, what things they are doing great and what they can do better, and you will not only have a high competent team, you will be a leader that inspires and develops.