Core Leadership Competencies

Leadership involves setting a vision, generating the energy to grow and sustain the vision, mobilizing collective action around this vision, collaborating with others, and valuing the diverse expressions of leadership.  To effectively achieve this, there are a number of competencies that are required.  These competencies and activities must be practiced, reflected on, and refined.  Leadership requires self-awareness and self-reflection as we critically assess our capacity in the various competency areas and set goals for continuous leadership development.  Self-reflection helps us uncover the beliefs that inform our action and assess whether and how to modify our action to serve our own and others’ interests.

  1. Establishing and Sustaining Relationships

as demonstrated by the ability to interact with others to develop trusting relationships and sustain collaborative partnerships;

  1. Developing the Self

as demonstrated by having a sense of self awareness; an understanding of one’s strengths and challenges; an ability to self-regulate, monitor one’s actions, and set goals for continuous learning.

  1. Communicating

as demonstrated by the ability to create and share meaning through effective oral and written communication, engage in active and empathic listening, and understand and communicate to diverse audiences.

  1. Developing Others

as demonstrated through mentoring and authentic communication in partnerships with others to help them identify and achieve their goals; cultivating an environment that fosters individual and team learning.

  1. Making Informed Decisions and Solving Problems

as demonstrated by having or seeking out appropriate knowledge and expertise in order to formulate the strongest solutions to emerging problems and/or situations, acting ethically throughout the decision-making process, and having the courage to take responsibility for the outcome.

  1. Negotiating and Managing Conflict

as demonstrated by the willingness to listen to all perspectives, mediate across difference, appropriately express concern, and identify productive solutions for moving forward.

  1. Acting with an Awareness of Social and Cultural Dynamics

as demonstrated by embracing a value for learning about social and cultural difference; listening to the stories of others without judgment; acting with generosity while confronting misinformation; and actively creating a just community.

  1. Adapting to Change and Thinking Creatively

as demonstrated by flexibility in thought and action; engaging in reflective practice to inform change and practice; seeking out innovative ideas and solutions; and providing stability and meaning for collaborators in the midst of change.

  1. Using Systems Thinking

as demonstrated through a recognition that the work of one affects the work of all; developing an understanding of the interconnections within and between organizations or communities and their environments.

10.    Practicing Well-Being

as demonstrated by the ability to develop insights and habits of regularly assessing one’s own quality of life and facilitating the well-being in others; creating and sustaining positive relationships and finding equanimity and resiliency in the face of adversity; and demonstrating pro-social behaviors and emotions (compassion, gratitude, joy, cooperation)