Behavioral Competency

Last update : July 12, 2023

What is behavioral Competency?

Behavioral competency is how well a person can perform specific tasks. This is defined as a person’s level of competency to perform role in the current business.

Intangible competencies, such as leadership skills, communication, or conflict resolution are often mentioned as behaviors. However, behavioral competency goes beyond these. It describes how well a person performs specific tasks related to their job.

Often, these competencies are measured on an individual employee basis. Also, social skills are often viewed as behavioral competencies. These skills include grooming and appearance, listening skills, and appropriate workplace behavior.

Often, behavioral competencies are about situational assessments.

Why are behavioral competencies important? 

Behavioral competencies are necessary in order to be successful in any field or endeavor. They provide a framework for understanding and managing behavior, and can be used to improve performance and achieve goals. 

There are many different types of behavioral competencies, but some of the most important ones include teamwork, communication, problem solving, and time management.

In conclusion, behavioral competency is a term coined by HR professionals to describe people’s inclination to behave in appropriate ways, intentionally improving their own performance and that of their organization.

Examples of Behavioral Competencies

While most competencies will be sought after by every employer, different industries may value certain competencies over others. Here are some examples:

Negotiation and networking might be competencies for a sales team.

Organizational awareness and data literacy might be competencies for office managers.

Creativity and innovation might be competencies for marketers.

Project management and facilitation might be competencies for leadership teams.

Attention to detail and problem-solving might be competencies for software developers.

What Different types of Competencies Are There?

Employers look for a variety of talents when hiring new employees, behavioural competencies being only one of them. There are four categories of competences in total:

Behavioral Competencies: These are the soft skills that govern a candidate’s actions and interactions with coworkers and customers. Communication, attention, and flexibility are examples of competencies that fit within this category.

Core Competencies: These are abilities that a company possesses that offer it a distinct advantage over its competitors. These might include having access to software or having specialist expertise. Candidates with these techniques’ experience may be given preference by employers.

Functional Competencies: These are the specialised, high-performance technical talents related to a particular employment. Functional expertise will guarantee that the individual can provide a high-quality


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