Biographical competence: Your key to success in VUCA world

Biographical competence, as defined by Zbigniew Pietrasiński, is a concept rooted in psychology that refers to an individual's ability to constructively use their past to better manage the present and future. Pietrasiński emphasizes that this competence is linked to the ability to understand and interpret one's life experiences, utilizing them as resources in the process of continuous personal and professional development. In essence, it’s about how we interpret our past and how these interpretations influence our actions in the present and future.

Pietrasiński identifies several key aspects of biographical competence:

• Reflectiveness: This involves the ability to engage in deep introspection and understand how past events influence our current behaviors and decisions. This process includes continuously rethinking and redefining one's experiences. An individual with developed reflectiveness takes time to analyze their experiences, examining past mistakes and successes to understand how they have shaped their current competencies and approach to work.
• Narrative: This is the ability to create a coherent story of one’s life, which helps to give meaning to past events and integrate them with present experiences. Narrative allows for better self-understanding and identity formation. A person skilled in this area can construct a cohesive narrative of their career, viewing past setbacks as key learning moments that have contributed to their current successes. Instead of seeing them as failures, they are seen as steps toward growth.
• Adaptation and Development: Biographical competence enables effective adaptation to changing circumstances and the use of life experiences for personal growth. Individuals who are strong in this area can learn from their mistakes and successes, which translates into better coping with future challenges.
• Emotional Self-Regulation: This refers to the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions related to past experiences in a way that promotes well-being and mental health. Individuals with developed emotional self-regulation, through prior reflection, learn effective stress management strategies, helping them maintain calm in difficult situations.
• Empathy and Understanding of Others: Biographical competence allows for a better understanding of other people through the analogy of one’s experiences, leading to deeper empathy and more effective interpersonal communication.

According to Pietrasiński, biographical competence underscores that life experiences are valuable resources that, when properly understood and utilized, can significantly contribute to personal and professional success.

During recruitment interviews with experienced HR professionals, the evaluation of all these elements of competence can be observed. Reflectiveness, narrative, adaptation, and development are assessed through questions about career progression and job changes (e.g., questions about the reasons for these changes, lessons learned at various stages of the career, and competencies used at different levels). Questions about emotional self-regulation mainly focus on one’s ability to manage stress. Meanwhile, empathy and understanding of others can be evaluated based on questions about relationship-building, conflict management, and teamwork.

Each of us possesses some degree of biographical competence, but its level can vary. This competence is like a muscle that can be developed through conscious reflection and practice. The primary benefit of developing it is a better understanding of oneself and one’s reactions to various situations. This, in turn, aids in making more informed decisions, improving relationships with others, and managing stress more effectively.

However, the benefits of developing biographical competence do not end there. In the context of career management, advanced biographical competence can significantly increase one's attractiveness in the job market and ensure employment stability. Employers particularly value candidates who can constructively leverage their experiences, reflect on them, and consciously use them for professional development. Such individuals stand out for their ability to strategically plan their careers, making them more competitive in the job market.

Through deep introspection and narrative skills, these individuals are better prepared for changes and uncertainties in the workplace. They can effectively adapt to new conditions, which is crucial in today’s dynamic professional world. Additionally, developed biographical competence enhances the effective use of mentoring and coaching, which facilitates further growth and increases the chances of achieving professional success.