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Leadership Skills Competencies
Our leadership competencies are grounded in an extensive review of
the leadership performance literature and based on research conducted over the past
50 years. Our competency model captures those skills and behaviors that have had
a proven impact on leadership effectiveness.
Cognitive Managerial Skills
- Technical Orientation
Demonstrating technical proficiency or expertise acquired through education, training,
or experience.
- Analytical Orientation
Demonstrating a preference for problems requiring precise, logical reasoning, and
showing an ability to dissect and understand complex, multifaceted problems.
- Decisiveness
The ability to make clear-cut and timely decisions with the appropriate amount of
information.
- Creativity
Demonstrating the ability to initiate original and innovative ideas, products, and
approaches.
- Thoroughness
The ability to attend to detail and develop a comprehensive approach to problems.
- Objectivity
The ability to maintain a realistic perspective and keep personal biases to a minimum.
- Risk Taking
The willingness to take sound, calculated risks, based on good judgment, in situations
where the outcome is uncertain.
Interpersonal Managerial Skills
- Open-Mindedness
A willingness to consider new ideas and approaches, as well as input from others.
- First Impression
The ability to create a positive impact through social confidence, sincerity, dress,
and verbal fluency.
- Interpersonal Relations
Relating to others in an outgoing, friendly, warm, and personable manner in order
to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
- Sensitivity
Showing a supportive, considerate, sensitive, and caring attitude toward the needs,
concerns, moods, agendas, interests, and aspirations of others.
- Social Astuteness
The ability to accurately read and respond diplomatically to organizational trends
and norms, as well as effectively deal with organizational politics.
- Conflict Management
The ability to mediate and resolve conflicts and disagreeements in a manner best
for all parties involved.
- Communication
Keeping subordinates and superiors informed about decisions, events, and developments
that affect them.
- Formal Presentation
The ability to deliver an interesting, informative, and organized presentation.
- Persuasiveness
The ability to sell others on ideas, approaches, products, and services.
- Negotiation
The ability to negotiate outcomes that further the interests of the organization,
and when possible, also further the interests of opposing groups.
Personal Managerial Qualities
- Listening
Taking the time to listen to others' questions, concerns, and viewpoints, identifying
the relevant information, and conveying it to the other person.
- Achievement and Motivation
Demonstrating the motivation to work hard, be successful, achieve difficult goals,
and complete challenging tasks.
- Self-Discipline
The ability to resist impulse, maintain focus, and see a project through to completion.
- Flexibility
The ability to adapt one's style or approach in order to adjust to changing circumstances
or to achieve an objective.
- Independence
The ability to be self-starting and work independently of others when necessary.
- Self-Esteem
Demonstrating a high level of self-worth and self-confidence.
- Emotional Control
Maintaining personal composure during times of stress or pressure, when things are
uncertain, or when faced with conflict or disagreement.
- Dependability
The ability to be counted on to meet commitments and deadlines.
- Ambition
Demonstrating a desire for increased influence and promotion in the organizational
hierarchy.
- General Leadership Effectiveness
Influencing and guiding the behavior of others in a certain direction by providing
motivation, coaching, and support.
Teamwork, Supervision, Planning & Productivity
- Assuming Responsibility
The willingness to step forward and take charge of a difficult situation, without
being asked to do so.
- Vision
Seeing the "big picture" in the organization, industry, and economy, including having
a clear sense of the company's ideal future state and communicating this to others
in a compelling way.
- Emphasizing Excellence
Setting challenging goals and high quality standards, and expecting subordinates
to perform at their highest level.
- Organizational Spokesperson
Serving as figurehead and spokesperson for one's unit, and effectively promoting
and defending the interests of one's subordinates.
- Subordinate Involvement
Consulting with subordinates, soliciting suggestions, and taking these suggestions
seriously.
- Facilitating Teamwork
The ability to promote teamwork, cooperation, and identification with the work group.
- Inspirational Role Model
The ability to set a positive and inspirational example for subordinates to follow.
- Short-Term Planning
Establishing short-term goals and objectives for subordinates and for the work unit,
and developing action steps to achieve them.
- Strategic Planning
The ability to establish a long-range direction for the organization or unit, set
broad goals that align with the direction, and identify the means to reach those
goals.
- Organizing the Work of Others
Clearly defining roles and responsibilities for subordinates, and letting them know
exactly what tasks should be done and what results are expected.
- Delegation
Delegating responsibility and authority to subordinates and giving them discretion
in determining how to do their work.
- Monitoring and Controlling
Checking on the performance of subordinates, giving them personalized feedback,
and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
- Motivating Others
Showing enthusiasm and providing encouragement, recognition, constructive criticism,
and coaching to subordinates.
- Attracting Staff
The ability to hire and retain staff, and keep turnover at an acceptable level.
- Productivity
Accomplishing an above average quantity and quality of work.
The 42 Leadership Skills Competencies provide a comprehensive
and complete picture of leadership performance.
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