Competence

Think you’re a competent woman? Don’t be so quick to say ‘yes’…the answer might not be as easy as you might think.

COMPETENCE means the ability to do a job properly. Competence equals know-how. Competence isn’t one skill but a set of
behaviors that enables someone to effectively perform a specific role. For example, having a baby doesn’t mean you are a competent parent. Being a good accountant doesn’t mean you can competently manage an accounting department, knowing how to use facebook or twitter doesn’t mean you are a competent social media consultant.

For every role and job, there is a level of competence.

In my spouse’s business (massage therapy), a job candidate might demonstrate good technical skill but – like most business owners – he looks for much more when hiring someone. Competence in his business includes how they??? physically present themselves and if they have the ability to be put a client at ease (establish trust). It also includes the wherewithal to understand the business side of massage (making appointments, keeping records, invoicing) and teamwork (functioning in the office with other therapists).

This month the Victorious Woman Project will focus on COMPETENCE and share some ideas and tips that will help you develop greater skills, social, emotional and communicative competence.

Here’s what I want to know from you: at home or work, what’s one of your areas of competence? When it comes to know-how:

• what do you do well?
• where do you want to improve?
• how can I help?