What are competencies and talents?
Competencies and talents are related concepts, especially in the context of personal development, education, and the workplace, but they are not the same.
Competencies
Definition:
Competencies are a combination of skills, knowledge, behaviors, and abilities that are needed to perform a specific job or task effectively. Click to explore TMA competencies.
Key Points:
Learned and developed over time.
Often measurable and observable.
Can include technical skills (e.g., data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., communication).
Example: “Leadership competency” might include decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to motivate others.
Talents
Definition:
Talents are natural abilities or aptitudes that a person is born with or develops early in life. They often emerge effortlessly and can be enhanced through practice. Click to explore TMA Talents.
Key Points:
Innate or instinctive.
More difficult to teach or acquire.
Serve as a foundation for developing competencies.
Example: A person might have a natural talent for music, public speaking, or problem-solving.
In Simple Terms:
Talent is what you’re naturally good at.
Competency is what you’ve learned to be good at.
Example:
A talented communicator may naturally engage and influence others with ease. To turn this into a competency, they may learn public speaking techniques, persuasive writing, and active listening skills.
Want to apply the use of competencies and talents in your organisation?
The TMA Method integrates positive psychology principles into recruitment, coaching, development, and career guidance, supporting organizations, individuals, and teams in achieving their full potential.