Self-competence

Self-competence is the perceived ability to successfully perform a specific task or achieve a particular goal. It encompasses the belief in one's capacity, skills, and knowledge to handle challenges and obtain desired outcomes. High self-competence is often associated with confidence, resilience, and a willingness to take on new challenges, while low self-competence can lead to avoidance and feelings of inadequacy. It’s a critical component of self-esteem and impacts how individuals approach learning, work, relationships, and personal development. The assessment of one's own abilities can be influenced by past experiences, feedback from others, social comparisons, and perceptions of control.

Self-competence meaning with examples

• Maria, a software engineer, approached a complex coding project with high self-competence. Her years of experience and successful past projects gave her the confidence to break down the problem, manage her time effectively, and persevere through difficulties. She believed in her ability to deliver a high-quality solution and ultimately met the project deadline with a sense of accomplishment and pride in her abilities.
• John, starting a new job in sales, displayed a degree of self-competence that helped him get through initial struggles. Even when sales were slow at first, he had previous knowledge of the field and sought advice from senior colleagues. With time, he saw growth in his abilities. His commitment to improvement and willingness to learn from mistakes gave him the assurance to build a strong client base.
• Sarah, a student, was taking a challenging physics course. Her high self-competence regarding her study skills led her to create a regular study schedule and participate in study groups. She didn’t get discouraged by challenging concepts, but rather saw them as an opportunity to solidify her understanding. Her commitment to learning resulted in an improved understanding of Physics.
• During a team project, David displayed great self-competence when his teammates needed assistance. He confidently took charge of delegating tasks and resolving conflicts that came up. This attitude fostered a collaborative environment and enabled the team to achieve their objectives in the best way possible while getting the best out of everyone.
• After receiving a negative performance review, Emily took time to reflect on her skills and experience. Her assessment led her to identify areas of weaknesses and strengths. Her belief in her ability to improve these areas led her to seek out additional training and to apply for similar, but better, roles. This dedication to growth enhanced her overall self-competence in her career.