Excel Professionally, Perform with Excellence, & Lead with Integrity
In this article, I am going to focus on three key concepts: Skills, Competence, and Character. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they each hold unique meanings. Skills and competence, in particular, are closely related but subtly distinct. Before we dive deeper into our topic, let’s clarify these differences.
A skill is not just an ability; it’s a tool that empowers you to perform a specific task or activity effectively and efficiently. It is acquired through practice, learning, and experience. Skills are not just about completing tasks, they are about solving problems, and they are often categorized as:
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in specific tools, technologies, or methods, for example – programming languages and financial analysis.
- Soft Skills: Interpersonal and cognitive abilities that enhance how people interact and work with others, for example – leadership and critical thinking.
Remember, skills are not fixed traits; they can be developed and refined over time. They are not just crucial but indispensable for personal and professional success. This understanding can be a source of confidence, reassuring you that you have the power to shape your future.
Competence is the ability to perform a role or task effectively and efficiently by integrating a combination of skills, knowledge, experience, and personal attributes. It encompasses not only having the necessary skills but also applying them appropriately in various contexts to achieve desired outcomes. Competence reflects a holistic approach to performance, including the ability to adapt, solve problems, and make informed decisions, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in both routine and complex situations.
We all have a general idea of what character means, as it’s a concept we have encountered throughout our lives. To grasp it more clearly, let’s look at an informal definition with an example.
Character refers to the set of moral and ethical qualities that define a person’s behavior and choices. It encompasses attributes such as integrity, honesty, empathy, and responsibility and influences how individuals interact with others and handle various situations. Character is demonstrated through actions, decisions, and interactions, reflecting a person’s core values and principles.
For example, Imagine a manager who always takes responsibility for their team’s mistakes, even when it means facing criticism. They consistently uphold high ethical standards, treat everyone with respect, and make decisions based on fairness and honesty. This manager’s character is evident in their integrity, accountability, and compassion, which earn them the trust and respect of their team and colleagues.
Now that you have a good understanding of these terms, it’s evident how crucial these attributes are in any professional career. Regardless of what one does, skills, competence, and character play a significant role in shaping success and effectiveness.
The main goal of this article is to emphasize that cultivating, nurturing, and growing these attributes is not just important but essential for professional and career advancement. In my experience, I have observed two opposing perspectives in the professional world: employees often complain about a lack of career growth within their organizations, while organizations frequently express frustration over a shortage of skills and competence among their employees. Having been on both sides of this issue as a business leader, I find myself more aligned with the organizations’ viewpoints regarding skills and competence.
In my recent article titled ‘You Deserve the Right Place,’ I addressed the issue of personal growth and the failure of organizations to foster the right culture. In this article, however, my focus will be on the importance of developing skills and competence. Often, we neglect to recognize that our own skill sets and levels of competence may not be adequate to meet the demands and responsibilities of our roles. Instead, we tend to blame external factors—such as organizational culture, product or process issues, or market conditions—for our shortcomings. We can become trapped in the pursuit of perfection and overlook our own areas for improvement. I believe a significant part of this problem lies with feedback and appraisal systems used by managers, which frequently fail to effectively communicate the areas where employees need to develop.
Feedback and appraisal systems are often shaped by a dichotomous approach from managers: they tend to categorize employees as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ based on their personal views, biases, or lack of awareness. This binary evaluation undermines the true purpose of these crucial tools and diminishes their effectiveness.
Additionally, recognition systems contribute to a lack of awareness about individual skills. When promotions and awards are based on incorrect criteria, it undermines the importance of meritocracy. This can lead employees to believe that they need to focus on other areas for advancement rather than enhancing their own skills and competence.
Despite these challenges, it’s crucial to critically assess yourself and identify areas for development. Consider seeking feedback from experienced managers or leaders, either within or outside your organization, who can offer honest insights into the skills and competencies you need to improve. While your supervisors’ judgments can often be accurate, it’s important to trust their feedback if you believe it is genuine.
As a professional, you must cultivate a learning aptitude and invest time and resources into continuous development. Regularly challenge yourself to upgrade your skills, as sticking only to current commitments can lead to a comfort zone, a self-killing syndrome that impedes growth. In any professional’s and organization’s journey, ‘What Next?’ should be the constant litany.
Are you preparing yourself to handle a larger and more complex role in the future? This will help you gain the right set of experiences in your current role.
Character is an indispensable element for any human being, essential for keeping your moral compass aligned with true north. Without good character, one might be a skilled or competent worker or manager but never the great human being or leader that people and societies long for. The ultimate goal of all our efforts is to create a world where people feel safe, protected, and justly rewarded. Achieving this is impossible in the absence of good character.
The bottom line is this: with the right skills, necessary competence, and strong character, the desired success in every aspect of life is within reach. So, go for it!