Assessing Executives For Critical Positions

7 December 2009 by Ronald Robertson

How Should Candidates Be Assessed?

Whether the candidates to be assessed are external or internal, one core step is involved: The candidates must be rated against the competencies needed to succeed in a specific position.

What exactly is a competency? The word seems to mean different things to different people. We define a competency as a personal attribute that enables an organization to accomplish something of significant value. A competency may be either: a) specialized knowledge, or b) the ability to do something, or c) a personal trait.

How should an organization determine the competencies that are important in a position? We begin by asking our client to describe the organization’s strategic goals and priorities. We then ask: “For this position, what core competencies — in other words, what knowledge, abilities, and traits — must a candidate have for the organization to achieve its strategic goals?”

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