Competence
Also known as capability, mastery, skill
The need to feel capable and effective in what you do. A sense of having the skills and abilities to meet the challenges you face.
When met or unmet
When met
- Feeling capable and effective
- Mastery in meaningful areas
- Confidence in abilities
When unmet
- Feeling incompetent or inadequate
- Doubting your abilities
- Fear of failure
Common expressions
I don't know if I can do this I'm good at this I feel so incompetent
Strategies
- Practising and developing skills that matter to you
- Taking on challenges at the edge of your abilities
- Seeking feedback to improve performance
- Celebrating growing mastery
Recognition questions
- → Do I feel capable of handling what's in front of me?
- → Am I developing my abilities or stagnating?
- → Do I have the skills I need for what I'm trying to do?
Somatic markers
When met
- Confident, capable feeling in the body
- Ease in execution
- Satisfaction at skilled performance
When unmet
- Anxiety about capability
- Feeling out of your depth
- Frustration at inability to perform
Shadow side
- Perfectionism that's never satisfied with competence
- Tying self-worth entirely to performance
- Avoiding areas where you're not yet competent
Cultural considerations
What constitutes valued competence varies: intellectual, practical, social, spiritual, physical. Competence display norms also vary.
Related needs
Often confused with
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is about results; competence is the internal sense of capability regardless of outcome.