In business, we often take stock of materials and equipment meticulously but not that of the human skills with as much seriousness. We hear people say, I have able people but still don't get desired
Performance.
As an example, one may say that, "I have the ability to write!"
But “How much can I write in what timeline?”
The ability (the skills) with a relevant measure to perform a given task or a process defines the capacity of a given person (just like that of an equipment) and in turn that of an entity. So one may say that my capacity to write is 50-words per minute (wpm) and I can keep writing for 1-hour at a stretch, say.
But “How much should I actually be able to write as per the demand of the situation?"
Say, the demand is to write 50-wpm for at least 2-hours at a stretch!
If I've the ability to improve to a level such that I can handle the gap between the demand and my current capacity level then I've the capability to perform at a raised level.
Can I win a competition of writing (speed & duration) though?
If I can challenge, compete & deliver the desired level of results (rather win the competition) in terms of quality and quantity successfully then "i am competent."
Accordingly, for Competency Assessment one may categorise employees as follows based on their competencies or the levels of their skills.
Five categories of employees based on their competency or skill levels to perform a job or a work are as follows.
1. Novices! or Beginners! - Those who ‘don’t know’ How & Why of the job.
2. Able! or Intermediates! - Those who ‘can do’ but ‘can’t deliver promises’.
3. Capable! - Those who ‘can’ & improve ‘capacity level to deliver promises’.
4. Competent! - Those who 'can troubleshoot & win' but ‘can’t transfer knowledge’.
5. Experts! - Those who have ‘knowledge, can perform, troubleshoot, and coach others to make them competent'.
Table (from my
book "TPM for Reliable and Just-In-Time Value Delivery to Customer") shows the evaluation criteria and corresponding training implications to graduate to a higher skill or competency level.

So how does one get performance!
The equation I've put in my book: "
Ego + Ego: We Go! Behavior Modulation Techniques To Improve Kaizen Leadership, Performance & Negotiation Skills" is as follows.

To get a Desired Level of Performance, it is the Capacity in place of Ability.
Now the equation looks like as follows:
Capacity + Motivation + Environmental nudges = Desired Performance
To get a Raised level of Performance, it is Capability in place of Capacity.
Now the equation looks like as follows:
Capability + Motivation + Environmental nudges = Raised level of Performance
To get a Benchmark level of Performance, it is Competence in place of Capability.
Now the equation looks like as follows:
Competence + Motivation + Environmental nudges = Benchmark levels of Performance
Believing in self to perform, planning meticulously and executing the plan to win is to lead one-self!
Helping and
enabling others to do so & create more leaders is about the leadership without which the journey (as follows) to create 'benchmarks' and create 'excellent*' organisations could be a nightmare!
The Journey:
Beginner! (to) > Able! (to) > Capable! (to) > Competent! (to) > Excellent* Company!
(*10 out of 10 on a
Radar* scale of 0-to-10)
Also read a few relevant blogposts hereunder: