Foreword

As I sit down to write this foreword, I can’t help but reflect on the history of Paymaster to Personnel to Human Resources to Human Capital Management. Quite a journey for the HR profession, and the last two iterations in the evolution of our science and discipline have been catalyzed by the advent of sophisticated and elegant competency modeling techniques. However the operative words here are technique and science. There are too many attempts by organizations to rush to design and develop their own competency model without rigor and methodologically correct approach. Though well-intended as this may seem, it does diminish the utility and successful application of these, often, incomplete and inexact models. That said, and even in light of so many lay practitioners trying hard to create the wheel, competencies have become table stakes if a company is to be great or remain great. Griffiths and Washington have provided the magic ingredient to help realize the true potential of competency models and their creation. Their approach is both elegant and practical. Their explanations of the science behind modeling and true stories that highlight the why and how provide even the least experienced layman the opportunity to learn and grow while helping to create a competitive advantage for their respective companies. But most importantly, a well-crafted competency model finds that special line of best fit by serving both the needs of the organization and the personal goals of the individual. A well designed and integrated model will truly have something for everyone by creating that common language of performance and potential. Hats off to Bruce and Enrique for so successfully addressing a long overdue need in such an elegant way!

Jeffrey M. Cava

EVP, CHRO

Starwood Hotels and Resorts World Wide, Inc.

Board of Directors

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)