The Power of Behavioral Competencies in Leadership Hiring
A successful business needs responsible leaders. Responsible leaders must have clear rules about what skills they need to lead effectively. The role of a leader has become more critical than ever in today's ever-evolving business world. The achievement and development of an organization are significantly dependent on its leadership's competence. While functional competencies are undoubtedly essential, behavioural competencies tend to be what distinguishes a great leader from an average one. Here, I will explore the significance of competencies in hiring for leadership positions and argue that, in many cases, behavioural competencies outweigh functional ones.
Functional Competencies vs. Behavioural Competencies
Functional competencies are the specialized skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary to successfully execute a job or task. These competencies are often linked to a leader's technical expertise, industry knowledge, and job-specific credentials. They are undeniably significant because they provide the groundwork for understanding the operations of a company or sector.
Behavioural competencies, on the other hand, are concerned with the personal characteristics, features, and talents that a leader brings to the table. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication skills, decision-making, and strategic thinking are examples of competencies. While functional competencies?are important, a leader's capacity to motivate and drive their team to success is typically determined by behavioural competencies.
Why Behavioural Competencies Matter Most in Leadership
1.????Data-Driven Decision Making: A competent leader must base their decisions on facts, figures, and data. This analytical ability is a behavioural competency, and it is what enables a leader to make informed choices, identify trends, and create strategies that are backed by evidence.
2.????Vision Setting and Sharing: An inspiring vision is a driving force behind organizational success. A leader's ability to set and share a compelling vision is a behavioural competency that motivates teams and fosters commitment to a common goal.
3.????Change Management: Change is inevitable in the business world. A leader's skill in managing change and navigating uncertainties is a behavioural competency that can make or break an organization during turbulent times.
4.????Entrepreneurial Mindset: Even in large corporations, an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for driving innovation and seizing opportunities. This behavioural competency encourages leaders to take calculated risks and explore new horizons.
5.????Financial Acumen: Understanding financial matters, such as cost-benefit analysis, ROI calculation, and profit evaluation, is a behavioural competency that ensures the prudent use of resources and drives profitability.
6.????Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is essential for making sense of complex situations, solving problems, and making strategic decisions. This behavioural competency allows leaders to navigate through uncertainty and find solutions.
7.????Strategic Planning: The ability to create a clear and effective strategic plan is a behavioural competency that enables leaders to chart the course for their organization's future success.
8.???Resilience: The business world is fraught with challenges, setbacks, and failures. Resilience, as a behavioural competency, helps leaders bounce back, adapt, and continue leading effectively.
Real-World Examples of Behavioural Competencies in Leadership
Numerous leaders from different industries have demonstrated the paramount importance of behavioural competencies over functional ones. Leaders like Steve Jobs of Apple, who lacked a technical background, succeeded due to their unwavering vision and innovative thinking. Jack Welch of General Electric and Elon Musk of Tesla are examples of leaders who transformed organizations through their resilience and adaptability.
In conclusion, while functional competencies are undoubtedly vital, behavioural competencies often play a more significant role in the success of leaders, especially in senior leadership positions. Leaders who possess strong behavioural competencies can drive their organizations to greatness by inspiring, motivating, and guiding their teams. In contrast, a leader with weak behavioural competencies may struggle to effectively utilize their functional knowledge. Therefore, when hiring for leadership positions, it is crucial to assess and prioritize behavioural competencies, as they are the driving force behind leadership excellence and business success.