Spencer And Spencer Competency Dictionary Pdf Review

Implementing this model follows a well-established methodology called the .

In human resource management and organizational development, the Spencer and Spencer Competency Model remains a foundational framework. Developed by Lyle M. Spencer and Signe M. Spencer in their seminal 1993 book Competence at Work: Models for Superior Performance , this methodology transformed how organizations identify, assess, and develop talent.

This approach allows you to probe for specific evidence of past behavior, which is the best predictor of future performance. This methodology is legally defensible and significantly improves the quality of hire.

▲ [ Knowledge ] <- Visible (Easy to develop) └───┼───► [ Skills ] ~~~~~~~┴~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Water Line ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ▼ [ Social Role ] <- Hidden (Harder to assess [ Self-Image ] and change, but drive [ Traits ] long-term behavior) [ Motives ] ``` * **Visible Competencies (Above the Waterline):** Knowledge (information a person holds) and Skills (the ability to perform a specific physical or mental task). These are relatively easy to assess and train. * **Hidden Competencies (Below the Waterline):** Social Role (outer projection of values), Self-Image (identity and worth), Traits (physical characteristics and consistent responses), and Motives (underlying drives that trigger action). These hidden elements predict long-term job performance more accurately than knowledge or skills alone. --- ## 2. Core Clusters in the Spencer & Spencer Competency Dictionary The classic Spencer and Spencer dictionary groups individual competencies into six primary clusters. Each cluster contains specific behavioral scales designed to measure performance. ### A. Achievement and Action Cluster This cluster focuses on an individual’s internal drive to get things done, innovate, and maintain high standards. * **Achievement Orientation (ACH):** The drive to work toward high standards or outperform targets. * **Concern for Order, Quality, and Accuracy (CO):** An emphasis on reducing uncertainty through setup, checking, and monitoring structures. * **Initiative (INT):** Taking action proactively before being forced to by external events. * **Information Seeking (INF):** Going beyond obvious questions to scan, research, or investigate a situation deeply. ### B. Helping and Human Service Cluster These competencies revolve around understanding and assisting others, which is vital for service, counseling, and medical roles. * **Interpersonal Understanding (IU):** The desire and ability to accurately hear, understand, and respond to the unspoken or partly expressed thoughts, feelings, and concerns of others. * **Customer Service Orientation (CSO):** A focus on discovering and meeting the customer’s or client's underlying needs. ### C. The Impact and Influence Cluster This group reflects an individual’s power to affect others, build networks, and drive organizational change. * **Impact and Influence (IMP):** The intention to persuade, convince, influence, or impress others to gain support. * **Organizational Awareness (OA):** The ability to understand the power relationships, politics, and dynamics within an organization. * **Relationship Building (RB):** Building or maintaining friendly, warm relationships or networks of contacts with people who are or might be useful. ### D. The Managerial Cluster These competencies are a subset of Impact and Influence but specifically target managing people, teams, and projects. * **Developing Others (DEV):** A special version of Impact and Influence focused on fostering the long-term growth and capabilities of others. * **Directiveness (DIR):** Asserting personal authority or taking control to make people comply with requests or standards. * **Teamwork and Cooperation (TW):** Working cooperatively with others rather than separately or competitively. * **Team Leadership (TL):** The intention to take a role as leader of a team or other group. ### E. The Cognitive Cluster This cluster analyzes intellectual processing, identifying how individuals solve complex problems and innovate. * **Analytical Thinking (AT):** Breaking a problem down systematically into smaller parts, or tracing its implications step-by-step. * **Conceptual Thinking (CT):** Identifying patterns, links, or underlying issues across complex situations to formulate creative solutions. * **Technical/Professional/Managerial Expertise (EXP):** Utilizing specific job-related knowledge to add value to the organization. ### F. Personal Effectiveness Cluster These competencies control personal performance under stress and guide self-management. * **Self-Control (SCT):** Keeping emotions and impulsive behaviors under control, especially under stress or provocation. * **Self-Confidence (SCF):** Belief in one’s own capability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach. * **Flexibility (FLX):** Adapting to and working effectively within a variety of situations, individuals, or groups. * **Organizational Commitment (OC):** The individual’s alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and values. --- ## 3. Structure of a Spencer & Spencer Competency Profile In a standard Spencer and Spencer competency dictionary, each competency is not merely defined; it is broken down into a scalable Matrix. A typical entry contains: 1. **Competency Name & Definition:** A clear summary of the behavior. 2. **Behavioral Indicators (Scales):** A progression of behaviors ranked from passive/negative to highly proactive/strategic. 3. **Intensity/Completeness Scale:** Measures the depth, complexity, or sophistication of the action taken. 4. **Size/Scope of Action:** Measures the size of the impact (e.g., influencing one peer vs. influencing an entire industry). ### Example Matrix: Achievement Orientation (ACH) | Scale Level | Behavioral Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Level -1** | Focuses on comfort or avoiding work; misses minimum performance standards. | | **Level 0** | Focuses on tasks without clear goals; works steadily but shows no distinct drive for improvement. | | **Level 1** | Meets standard expectations; shows a desire to do the job well and works efficiently. | | **Level 2** | Sets personal goals; creates self-imposed targets that are challenging but realistic. | | **Level 3** | Performs cost-benefit analyses; makes decisions based on calculated inputs, resources, and outputs. | | **Level 4** | Takes calculated risks; commits significant resources or time to improve performance while managing uncertainty. | --- ## 4. Business Applications of the Competency Dictionary Implementing the Spencer and Spencer model provides a single language for talent management across the entire employee lifecycle.

This cluster focuses on the drive to get things done, innovate, and maintain high standards.