Spencer remains the in roles where behavioral nuances matter (sales, leadership, consulting). Lominger is easier to implement but less predictive.
A concern for working well or competing against a standard of excellence.
When you finally open the , the content is typically organized into six major clusters. Below is a breakdown of the most cited competencies from the original work.
Working to build or maintain friendly, warm relationships or networks of contacts. 4. Managerial Cluster Competency Dictionary Spencer.pdfl
Competencies are not just skills or knowledge — they include that drive behavior.
The dictionary is inseparable from the :
For example, under "Analytical Thinking," the dictionary might list indicators such as: Spencer remains the in roles where behavioral nuances
Spencer reported intercoder reliability of 0.70–0.85 with trained coders. This remains the gold standard in competency assessment, though it’s time‑intensive.
The desire to help or serve others and meet their needs. 3. Impact and Influence Cluster
| Cluster | Competencies | |--------|----------------| | | Achievement Orientation, Concern for Order/Quality, Initiative, Information Seeking | | Helping & Human Service | Interpersonal Understanding, Customer Service Orientation | | Impact & Influence | Impact & Influence, Organizational Awareness, Relationship Building | | Managerial | Developing Others, Directiveness, Teamwork & Cooperation, Team Leadership | | Cognitive | Analytical Thinking, Conceptual Thinking, Technical/Professional Expertise | | Personal Effectiveness | Self‑Control, Self‑Confidence, Flexibility, Organizational Commitment | When you finally open the , the content
The refers to a digital copy of the competency framework developed by Lyle M. Spencer, Jr. and Signe M. Spencer, detailed in their seminal 1993 book, Competence at Work: Models for Superior Performance .
Organizations use the as a blueprint for various HR functions:
The Spencer Competency Dictionary, developed by Lyle and Signe Spencer, provides a structured framework of 20 generic competencies essential for defining and measuring superior job performance. Utilizing the "Competency Iceberg Model," this tool categorizes behaviors into clusters—such as achievement, helping, and cognitive competencies—to guide HR practices like Behavioral Event Interviews (BEI) and performance management. For a detailed overview, read the Guide to Spencer Competencies .