Organizational Competency Management: Undiscovered Competencies on Leaders’ Radar

A paradigm to steer organizational job processes, is competency management. Identifying talents and skills needed, helps achieve organizational goals. Research in skills management is important to estimate their impact in these processes and in workers professional enrichment. Identifying which competencies (hard, ethical, transversal) are necessary and valued by Portuguese managers was the main objective of this investigation. The originality of this study, was demonstrated by researched HR managers, identifying a list of competencies appreciated but not typically mentioned in the literature. We have settled the name “radar of competencies” for this list of abilities and skills. Qualitative methodology was used. First step was conducting 22 interviews with a semi-structured script that was developed using information gleaned from the previous literature study. The data were coded and processed with NVivo software. The results indicate the most following competencies: communication; teamwork; pressure tolerance; assertiveness; diligence; confidence; responsibility; empathy; autonomy; and attitude. The most important would be being able to communicate well, having a good attitude, being reliable, being assertive, and being able to do things on your own. We conclude that transversal and moral/ethical competencies the most valued. Emotional intelligence, proactiveness, resilience, and building rapport were not recognized in the literature. Our proposed radar definition may include these. Identification of firm-recognized competencies can help students, improving knowledge and marketable skills. That benefits job seekers, businesses, and educational institutions. We recommend more studies assessing the most valued skills, to improve a good fit between formation offer and work requirements.