Behavioral Competence, the new standard for selections and promotions
It may soon be time for CET (Common Entrance Test) to step down! This is because ‘Behavioral Competencies’ is set to take its place especially for selecting the right candidate for maritime firms and other organizations. Synergistic Solutions which is committed to enhancing organizational and individual productivity, conducted a seminar bringing into focus performance that will finally leads to competence viz. “unconscious performance of a stated desirable act.
According to Synergistic Solutions, headed by Capt Ajay Achuthan, the shipping community has so far been used to referring to STCW code for the Desired Functions, tasks and acts, and the examination system of the Mercantile Marine Department / Director General of Shipping, government of India, has created a control measure for the assessment, and finally certification of candidates.
According to international research this certification only contributes for 7% to 8% of the overall competence of an employee and as much as 65% is provided by Behavioral Competencies.
These factors were lucidly brought out in various presentations made at the seminar on “Demystifying Behavioral Competencies” wherein heads of leading manning, ship management companies and training institutes participated in big numbers.
The seminar was enriching because it took on a new dimension highlighting the need of the hour and something which has been neglected all through by the shipping industry and seafaring fraternity. Behavioral Competency requirements had not been thought of and taken for granted. It is a clear indication that things will change radically in the near future and some amount of formal training will be introduced in course of time.
So far International Maritime Organization (IMO) has only been looking at leadership. Ultimately, Behavioral Competence is the atom that goes into making up the ship operations. It is now being used more and more for the recruitment of right persons. Thus a selected seafarer can be conditioned by being put through a mentoring mode –training - and then placed on the ship where he will better perform as planned.
Dr S. Pandey, Managing Director of Corporate Comprehensive management informed that when you get an applicant you have to see what the person is like and ascertain whether he is suitable for the job. There may be a candidate who responds promptly but this is possible that he is impulsive type or good decision maker. One will have to dig deeper and find out what he actually is. In another scenario there could be a person who does not responds to a question immediately. You find him thinking and thinking. How does one interpret that? If the person is thinking he may be weighing all the options and deciding on what is the best way forward. There are different competency model and it is important to get the right behavioral framework in order to recruit the right person.
In the presentation by Dr Manavi Pathak from DDI India Pvt Ltd, (a premier assessment provider) the present status and future trends of competency assessments were highlighted. She stated that application of Behavioral Competence not only helps in selection but also for promotions. In the latter the usage of assessment centre shifts from mostly selection to development. She saw wide spread usage of this system being affordable and cost effective and applicable to various industries.
Capt A Dasgupta, General Manger of Anglo Eastern Ship Management spoke on User perspective on Behavioral Competence. He touched upon the behavioral interview of candidates which help to indentify the strengths and shortcomings of an individual, his or her potential, the gaps and the training which can help to improve performances and also to indentify the team that they will be suitable for.
Case studies and narrations about findings along with two workshops helped participants understand how the system works and how assessment can be made considering the Behavioral Competence.
The truth is out. Behavioral Competence can help to drive higher performance by helping employees understand how they make decisions and relate to others. It also enables the user to assess, appreciate and calibrate similarities as well as difference among individuals.