18 Management Competencies

With the rapid expansion of global markets, managers in business enterprises are struggling to balance the need to think globally and act locally. Re-engineering, consolidation, acquisition and mergers are now commonplace. In this book Human Resource has been identified as the only living resource without which none of the other resources can move to deliver the business outcomes. Amongst the many factors impacting human performance, competency has been identified for in-depth study. The uniqueness of this book lies in its simplicity in defining the basic nature of a competency. A brief introduction of the origin and initial development, of this much debated but elusive concept has been provided for easy understanding. The book provides valuable insights into the core of HR issues and an understanding of the new challenges being faced by HR professionals in a rapidly changing business environment. The authors have tried to identify specific competencies without which business results are not possible and what these mean in real terms at different levels of management. The illustrations encapsulate or comment on a competency through humorous depiction of simple real-life situations. The micro case studies attempt to show how successful people have demonstrated a specific competency in a real-life business situation. These are anecdotal case studies and do not imply that a particular business leader stands for a specific competency. This work does not pretend to be the last word on competencies, but it can be useful as an invaluable reference guide, a ready reckoner or a HR handbook for the practitioners at various levels, including senior managers, heads of HR divisions and even CEOs and others who are involved with HR issues on a day-to-day basis. Students of management who need to be strong in the basics of competencies would also find it useful.