Plano, Texas-based Batrus Hollweg International has introduced 23 leadership competencies that the human-capital consulting firm says are critical for executive success. Luckily, a person doesn’t have to have all 23 traits in order to succeed.

Joe Frodsham, vice president of strategic solutions for BHI, says hiring professionals often rely on one main topic when they hire someone.

“Usually they ask, have they done the job before, and the person says, ‘Yes,’” he says. “Past experience is useful, but if all you are relying the hiring on is the interview, it relies on their trustworthiness, their accurate depiction of what they were doing and their accurate recollection of what they did.”

Instead, he says, hiring managers should use assessment tools that more accurately measure the potential employee’s capacity, character and competence.
“It’s three C’s,” he says. “It’s easy to remember.”

• Capacity refers to whether the person can learn quickly and handle the intellectual demands of the job.

• Character is psychological strength, or how stable and effective the person is in times of stress, such as during a lunch rush.

• Competence is the actual skills for the job.

“If they are lacking a few skills, but they have capacity and character, you might want to invest in them,” Frodsham says.

The 23 capabilities reflect these traits. For example, number 19, under Capacity, is “Learning Agility — quickly learns and adapts.” Number 21, which is under Character, is “Personal Accountability — assumes responsibility for achieving results and completing high-quality work.” Others reflect the applicant’s experience, such as number 8, “Customer Focus — builds and maintains productive client relationships.”

If you are a job applicant, Frodsham says, don’t worry about building certain skills that you don’t have. Instead, focus on the ones you have and match them with a job where you can use these skills.

“The biggest predictor of career satisfaction is level of self-awareness,” he says. “If I know who I am, I need to sell myself where I am a good fit.”

2008 Nation's Restaurant News. All Rights Reserved.