Handbook of Human Resource Development

Competence

Bases for Employee Effectiveness

Iris Berdrow

Bentley University

Frederick T. Evers

University of Guelph

NATURE OF COMPETENCIES

Competencies are measurable personal capabilities that facilitate and enable one to be successful. They are thought of as a collection of skills, which are more specific capabilities for effective action in relation to a particular goal. So, while effective public speaking is a skill, effective communication is a competence. Competencies here are considered at the individual level, relevant to the employee and the job, rather than the organization level, where organizational competencies are considered as a ...