How to Be Good at Performance Appraisals

Chapter 4

Identifying and Using Competencies

In chapter 1 I explained that job performance is made up of two separate components: what the person accomplishes and how the person goes about achieving those results. Goal setting and identifying the key responsibilities of the job—the results dimension of performance—were the subjects of chapters 2 and 3. In this chapter we turn to the other half of performance—the behaviors or competencies that generate those results.

Competencies describe the knowledge, skills, behaviors, attributes, abilities, and attitudes that are essential to achieving the results expected. A competency is a significant talent, skill, or proficiency that helps an individual generate superior performance. The reason for identifying ...