Leadership competencies

Leadership competencies
See also
Innovative thinking Conditions of strategy implementation Organizational culture and project management Ability to work in a team Innovative leadership Company mission Training objective Leadership models Responsibilities of leader

Leadership is a process by which an executive can direct, guide and influence the behaviour and work of others towards accomplishment of specific goals in a given situation. Is the ability of manager to induce the subordinates to work with confidence and zeal. (Prachi Juneja)

According to Keith Davis, Leadership is the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It is the human factor which binds a group together and motivates it towards goals. (Keith Davis)

Leadership and management are not synonymous, they are different. The manager administers; the leader innovates. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon. The manager accepts the status quo ; the leader challenges it. (Warren G. Bennis)

Leaders: Born or Made?

Historically, the vast majority of people have thought that leaders are born. They possess an innate talent which gives them a natural aptitude to influence and lead. However; leadership is an ability, meaning a leader has a capacity to do something through talent and skill. Talent is natural ability and skill is proficiency gained through training and experience. Talent certainly helps, but it is not required.

Writing in Forbes magazine, Erika Andersen says, "like most things - leadership capability falls along a bell curve. So the fact is that most who start out with modicum of the leadership capability can actually become very good, even great leaders. This means that trough hard work, experience and persistence you can become a great leader. There are many examples of made leaders, who make their way to be a leader through their dedication, intelligence, qualities and skills. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King or Arianna Huffington are some of them.

Leadership Competencies

A great leader must possess certain skills to be able to exercise his role in the most effective way. Many of them can be achieved or developed through their constant implementation. The main competencies are:

• Social & Emotional Intelligence. Is basic for an effective leadership; understanding of social dynamics and handling emotions
• Interpersonal skills. Often known as "soft skills", is the ability to relate with the environment and be capable of listening and communicate.
• Grow & Adapt. Continue to develop competences and learning from the experiences. Keeping up to date, being dynamic and knowing the new trends.
• Critical & Analytical Thinking. Maintain and objective view of situations; applying sound reasoning, questioning basic assumptions and understanding the complexity of an issue.
• Vision and foresight. Visualize situations and frame logical programs.
• Self-confidence. In order to earn the confidence of the subordinates. Be trustworthy.
• Sense of responsibility. Responsibility and accountability towards an individual´s work.
• Empathy. Understood as "Stepping into the shoes of others".

Globalisation and the high speed development of markets and technology is demanding new skills:

• Fearless agility.Be able to cope with constant changes, think fast and decide in difficult circumstances.
• Flexibility. Due to the great development of new cultures, ways of thinking like millennials and modifications in the work structure, it will be necessary to adapt to the new situations to keep fresh and effective.
• Negotiation. Competition is increasingly fierce and consumers are more demanding. It will be key to reaching agreements that are favourable to both parties.
• Leading through change. Harness the energy of change, creating creative and unstoppable teams in the face of the new scene.
• Versatility. Is related with the diversity and agility. It is all about being able to develop different functions, doing an efficient work and finding optimal solutions.

Ways to improve leadership skills

To be a competitive leader it is necessary to continuously improve, learn and reinvent. The only way to be a great leader in a constantly changing world, is to train hard and strive to develop our skills and capabilities in order to keep up with the times. The main ways to improve the leadership competencies are:

• Be passionate. Passion is never giving up,effort and exertion. Without it, you cease innovating and stagnate.
• Understand you strengths and use them. An understanding of your weaknesses provides you with areas you know you can improve.
• Admit when you fail and move on. Learning from failures sends a powerful message to those around you.
• Set concrete goals and execute them. Formulating the right plan and setting benchmarks along the way gives you a map to follow and to guide the business. This will be crucial in extreme and unknown situations, having clear priorities and goals to be achieved.

Examples of Leadership competencies

• Communication Skills: The ability to effectively communicate with employees and stakeholders, set clear expectations and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
• Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
• Decision-Making Skills: The ability to make sound decisions quickly and confidently.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to think proactively and develop a vision for the future.
• Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.
• Conflict Management Skills: The ability to manage and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
• Interpersonal Skills: The ability to effectively interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Motivation Skills: The ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve desired goals.
• Leadership by Example: The ability to lead by example and show others the way.
• Integrity: The ability to demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness and ethical behavior.

Advantages of Leadership competencies

Leadership competencies are key skills that enable an executive to guide and influence others towards a common goal. These competencies provide the foundation for effective leadership and can be beneficial in various situations. The advantages of developing leadership competencies include:

• Improved Communication: Leadership competencies allow leaders to communicate more effectively with their team. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that expectations are clearly understood.
• Increased Motivation: Good leadership competencies can help to motivate employees by providing direction and setting achievable goals. This can make employees feel valued and more committed to the organization.
• Improved Decision-Making: Leadership competencies give leaders the ability to make better decisions by taking into account the needs of their team and the organization as a whole. This can help to ensure that the best decisions are made in a timely manner.
• Improved Teamwork: Leadership competencies can help to foster a sense of teamwork among employees. This can lead to better collaboration and more effective problem solving.
• Increased Productivity: Leadership competencies can help to maximize productivity by promoting a positive work environment. This can help to increase efficiency and improve overall results.

Limitations of Leadership competencies

Leadership competencies are essential skills and qualities that effective leaders possess which allow them to successfully lead others and achieve desired outcomes. However, these competencies can have certain limitations. These include:

• Lack of Emotional Intelligence: Leaders often lack the ability to understand and manage their own emotions as well as those of their subordinates. This can lead to strained relationships with team members, resulting in lack of trust and motivation.
• Rigidity in Thinking: Leaders may be too rigid in their approach to leading their team and may not be open to new ideas or different perspectives. This can limit the potential of the team to work together and innovate in order to achieve the desired goals.
• Poor Communication Skills: Leaders may have difficulty in communicating their vision, objectives and expectations to their team, resulting in lack of clarity and direction. This can cause confusion and frustration.
• Lack of Adaptability: Leaders may be unable to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and conditions, and may not be able to make the necessary decisions and take effective action to move the team forward.
• Poor Decision Making: Leaders may struggle to make effective decisions, especially in difficult and challenging situations. This can lead to costly mistakes and delays in achieving desired outcomes.

Other approaches related to Leadership competencies

Leadership is a complex process that requires a set of competencies to be successful. In addition to the ability to direct, guide and influence the behaviour of others, there are other approaches related to leadership competencies. These include:

• Effective Communication: Communication is a key element of successful leadership. Leaders should be able to communicate effectively with their team and stakeholders, as well as be able to clearly articulate goals and objectives.
• Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions. Leaders must be able to read and respond to the emotional needs of their team and foster positive relationships.
• Decision Making: Leaders must be able to make decisions quickly and efficiently, while also being able to consider different perspectives. They should be able to weigh the pros and cons of a situation and come up with the best solution.
• Adaptability: Leaders must be able to adapt to changing environments and situations in order to stay ahead of the curve. They should be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions.
• Conflict Resolution: Leaders must be able to manage conflict and resolve disputes between team members. They should be able to identify the root cause of conflict and work to resolve the issue.
• Inspiration: Leaders should be able to inspire their team to reach their goals. They should be able to motivate and encourage their team members to reach their full potential.

In summary, successful leadership requires a range of competencies, including the ability to direct, guide and influence the behaviour of others, as well as effective communication, emotional intelligence, decision making, adaptability, conflict resolution, and inspiration.

References

• Stogdill, R. M. (1950). Leadership, membership and organization. Psychological Bulletin, 47(1), 1–14
• Kotterman, J. (2006), The Journal for Quality and Participation; Cincinnati Tomo 29, N.º 2, Summer: 13-17
• Palmer, B., Walls, M., Burgess, Z. and Stough, C. (2001), Emotional intelligence and effective leadership, Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 5-10.
• Johansen R. (2012), Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World

Author: Víctor Rodríguez