Abstract: The study choosed 18 senior managers of family firms in Wenzhou, China, conducted the Behavioral Event Interview, established the competency model of senior mangers in the family firms and validate the competency assessment method. The results showed: Firstly, competency scores using coding standard of average level and using coding standard of competency frequencies showed more reliability, competency’s maximal level of complexity was influenced by interview length. And competency scores using coding standard of average level and using coding atandard of maximal level of complexity, could differentiate superstars and average performers. Secondly, the competencies of senior mangers in family firms include: Authoritarianism Orientation, Initiative, Seizing Opprotunities, Information Seeking, Organization Awareness, Directiveness, Benevolence and Consideration, Self-control, Self-confidence, Self-learning, Impact and Influence. And in all the 11 competencies, there are 9 competencies being similar to that of the generic competency model of senior managers in the overseas firms, 8 competencies being similar to that of the generic competency model of state-owned firms in China. And Authoritarianism Orientation and Benevolence and Consideration are the exclusive competencies which are included in the competency model of senior mangers in Chinese family firms.

Key words: competency model, behavioral event interview, family firm, senior manager