Spencer And Spencer Competency Dictionary Pdf [2021] May 2026

The Spencer and Spencer Competency Dictionary: A Foundation for Competency Modeling

1. Overview and Origin

The Spencer and Spencer Competency Dictionary (formally presented in Competence at Work: Models for Superior Performance, 1993) is one of the most cited and foundational taxonomies in human resources and industrial‑organizational psychology. Developed by Lyle M. Spencer Jr. and Signe M. Spencer, the dictionary emerged from decades of research at McBer & Company (founded by David McClelland).

2. Behavioral Event Interviewing (BEI)

The dictionary provides the scoring guide for interviews. Instead of asking, "Are you a team player?" you ask: "Tell me about a specific time you had to work with a difficult colleague to achieve a goal." You then score their answer against the Spencer and Spencer scale for Teamwork and Cooperation. Spencer And Spencer Competency Dictionary Pdf

Cognitive Cluster

Reducing uncertainty through checks and precise information. Initiative (INT): Taking action before being asked or forced by events. Information Seeking (INF): The Spencer and Spencer Competency Dictionary: A Foundation

  1. Results Orientation: Focuses on achieving specific goals and objectives.
  2. Action Oriented: Takes initiative and acts quickly to achieve goals.
  3. Continuous Learning: Seeks out new learning experiences and applies new knowledge.
  4. Improvement Focus: Continuously looks for ways to improve processes and performance.
  5. Goal Setting: Sets specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
  6. Prioritization: Effectively prioritizes tasks and allocates resources.
  7. Efficiency: Strives to minimize waste and maximize productivity.
  8. Quality Focus: Ensures that work meets high standards of quality.
  9. Risk Taking: Takes calculated risks to achieve goals.
  10. Adaptability: Adapts to changing circumstances and priorities.