What does it take to be Effective?

                               Qualification Vs. competence

Ever wondered what are those attributes which make a person far more effective and successful? Definitely it can’t be only knowledge, talent or intelligence as we usually come across people with same knowledge or degrees faring far different in life in terms of being effective, successful and happy.

All through my career as an educationist , I have been coming across teachers who excelled at their work and got desired results out of their students while at the same time few others struggled at all times to deliver and perform. In an interesting case, two equally qualified teachers teaching the same subject  and producing same results were poles apart in terms of their performance comparisons as being effective teachers. What distinguished them?

In other cases, a teacher aspirant for English language who had A+ grade on the score sheet throughout his academic journey was not able to speak confidently and fluently in English and a teacher aspirant for Social Sciences with double Masters in History and Political Science was not at all able to communicate his own idea of Federal Government. What was missing?

Over the years, I discovered the teacher with knowledge of her subject coupled with good communication skill was very effectively able to articulate the concepts at learners’ level of understanding.

The teacher high on thinking skills was able to plan and execute all her responsibilities in an orderly and timely manner.

The teacher with good people skills (Intrapersonal and Interpersonal skills)was always liked and respected by students, colleagues and parents alike.

The teacher with high emotional stability was receptive of the feedback and constructive criticism hence quick to move up on career graph.

The teacher with good physical health status was always more cheerful, fun loving and happy person, making learning fun for learners.

The teacher with high spiritual quotient was the most dedicated and honest person towards her responsibilities.

Observing my team of teachers, I deduced that the teachers equipped with one or the other dimensions of competencies (Behavioural Competencies, aka Life Skills, Technical Competencies and Professional Competencies) are far more effective. And the GOOD NEWS is that all these skills or competencies can be cultivated with a little consciousness.

Qualification is that basic knowledge which makes someone fit for some role, responsibility or task. Competence is knowledge coupled with skill set and ability to use knowledge in complex situations which makes someone effective.

Qualification can get you a job, role or responsibility. Competence is what makes you excel at your work.

Qualification (read Degree) is the eligibility. Competence is the sustainability.

So the basic competencies that we all must aim to be effective, successful and happy are a mix of behavioural, technical and professional.

Behavioural Competencies: Needed for all roles and responsibilities personal or professional. For example, all Life Skills including thinking, social and emotional skills, initiative and attitudes.

Technical Competencies: Needed to discharge specific roles. For example, teaching, driving, computer programming, cooking or baking, networking, data analysis, decision making etc.

Professional Competencies: Needed for succeeding and excelling in business or professional context. For example, people management, professional standards, openness to take constructive criticism, willingness to learn, team building, team management etc.

Now, when we know what competencies are, the next logical question is how to build them. Let us discuss some tips that can be applied.

Introspect, Reflect and Imagine: For behavioural competencies to be developed, introspection, reflections and imagination usually prove to be  good tools. Give yourself everyday some time to think consciously as to..how was your day, what went right and what went wrong, did you react or respond in a given situation, did you have better choices, could you have made a difference, did you work out of love or anger, was it jealousy or genuine competition? No doubt, the past situations will not change but you will find yourself better equipped to handle such situations in far better way the next time. Also, apply your imagination to put yourself in some challenging scenario and try different solutions that you are capable of.

For instance, you shout badly on your sibling for disturbing you during your studies and feel bad afterwards. On introspection, reflection and imagination you find that you are not feeling happy and you could have told the same thing to your sibling in a very different manner and through imagination you can actually see yourself handling the same situation politely and effectively. You know what life skill have you applied? You have applied your critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills and effective communication skills.

Read, Observe, Ask and Practise: For technical competencies to be developed, read more and more related to your own domain of working and expertise. Observe geniuses of your field doing their work. Ask for expert advice when in doubt or need clarification in your domain and finally have the guts to practise.

Just imagine, you are a freshly graduated doctor. You, of course, have your degree and you wish to be an effective doctor. What do you do? You keep yourself updated through reading new findings in medical journals, you keep in touch with few senior doctors and observe or hear from them doing their work, ask counsel in case if you have some doubt regarding the case of your patient and finally try practising it out. Overtime, you see yourself growing and evolving in to a competent doctor.

Follow the values and norms & Set and practise standards: For professional competencies to be developed, follow the values and norms, observe very closely the standards of the profession and set certain standards for the self. Genuinely try to pick up the value of team work. Cultivate belief in the systems theory. Develop an attitude to learn from the seniors. Remember, owning up and taking feedbacks constructively goes a long way in bringing out a professionally competent person.

Take the case of Vivan a software engineer working in an MNC. He has switched four jobs in the last two years. His rationale behind every job switch was that his boss was constantly finding faults with his work. On careful observation and reflection, Vivan realises that none of his bosses had anything personal against him. They just gave him genuine feedback on his work, which he took personally. Now, in his fifth job, he is more open to work on the feedback and is sincerely working to enhance his own core domain skills by seeking help from his seniors.

I, personally, believe that none of the competencies can be cultivated in isolation. It is always through practising tools from one domain that we enhance the others too; like Vivan used observation (the tool to improve technical competencies) and reflection(the tool to improve behavioural competencies) to develop the attitude to accept feedback constructively(which is a tool to enhance professional competence). Now this attitude to accept feedback will give him a push in developing behavioural competencies far more effectively thus a virtuous cycle sets rolling on to build competencies. 

So, let us all choose to be effective through CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE BUILDING!!