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Core Competencies

What are the skills and attributes that successful collaborative leaders bring to their civic work? How canLeadership Austin help Central Texans hone their leadership skills to be more effective civic and businessleaders?

Based on interviews with experienced Central Texas leaders and on a review of research and best practicesacross the United States, Leadership Austin identified the following 13 core competencies for successfulcollaborative leaders. Mastery of these competencies enables civic leaders to work effectively at the highestlevels of challenge, and business leaders to work successfully in diverse environments. They continue to be aninfluence on the curriculum for all Leadership Austin programming.

1. Systems Orientation

Sees interrelationships, interconnectedness

Has a "big picture" vantage; a 60,000 foot view in order to see patterns

Instead of separating the individual pieces of issues, focuses on the

interrelatedness among issues (the inputs, processes, and outputs within anenvironment)

2. Critical Thinking; Intellectual Capacity

Discernment - has the ability to differentiate "spin" from substance; a soundidea from a brainstormed idea; interest versus position; etc.

Has the ability to fully comprehend and reframe issues

Demonstrates self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking

3. Inclusion

Believes that people of different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints bringadded value to community discussion

Is open to seeing things in new ways

Actively seeks more extensive participation from the community

4. Trustworthiness

Is credible ("I do what I say")

Is honest ("You know what; I really dont have the time")

Is ethical; aware of personal motives and possible conflicts of interest

Works proactively and consciously out of personal values

5. Conflict Transformation

Assumes conflict is natural and works to harness its positive energy

Is able to identify, convene and hold together representatives (stakeholders)of groups and points of view

Develops win-win alternatives

6. Political Acuity

Aware of and sensitive to the history and context that impact a situation

Is familiar with the "players" and their relationships Recognizes leverage points

7. Self-Awareness

Is personally aware; understands personal strengths, weaknesses,knowledge gaps, interests, style, etc.

Is authentic; knows who they are and acts honestly out of that foundation

Is reflective

Has life balance (INTERNAL - mental, physical, emotional, spiritual;EXTERNAL - family, work, self)

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8. Social Capacity

Skilled at relationship-building and intentional networking for communitypurposes

Inspires others to get engaged; leads by example

Effective in managing differences; creates an atmosphere of trust

9. Focus on Results

Has persistence; "sticktoittiveness" Plans and uses discipline in order to execute

Has strategic agility; works around impediments and changes in theenvironment; finds alternative routes around roadblocks

10. Vision

Believes that together we can create a better future

Holds constant the long-term idea ("North Star" metaphor)

Acts through core values

11. Stewardship

Is committed to something bigger than oneself

Maintains a broad community perspective, rather than a single-issueperspective

Takes a long-term point of view as fundamental to the good of thecommunity

Recognizes and develops the leadership in others

12. Promoting Respectful Dialogue

Actively listens; "hears between the words"

Is a "bridge-builder"; facilitates bringing together disparate points of view; iswilling to occupy the "respectful center" to encourage dialogue

Crafts compelling language in a way that engages and motivates others

13. Fire in the Belly

Acts out of passion

Stays the course; community leadership can be tedious and tiring anddifficult; "it all happens on personal time"

Stretches their ability within the limits of their self-awareness; tries new

things; promotes continuous learning Thoughtfully takes risks; "winning teams" vs. "learning teams" metaphor.

The 35 HRD competencies identified in the study are listed below; the 13 core competencies are indicated in bolditalics.

Adult learning understanding

Career dev. theories & techniques understanding

Competency identification skill

Computer competenceElectronic systems skillFacilities skill

Objectives preparation skill

Performance observation skillSubject matter understandingTraining & dev. theories & techniques understandingResearch skill

Business understanding

Cost-benefit analysis skillDelegation skillIndustry understanding

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Organization behavior understanding

Organization dev. theories & techniques understandingOrganization understandingProject management skillRecords management skillCoaching skill

Feedback skill

Group process skillNegotiation skill

Presentation skill

Questioning skill

Relationship-building skill

Writing skill

Data reduction skill

Information search skill

Intellectual versatility

Model-building skill

Observing skill

Self-knowledgeVisioning skill

Competencies for HRD Success

Adult Learning Understanding knowing how adults acquire and use knowledge, skills, attitudes;

understanding individual differences in learning.

Career Development Theories and Techniques Understanding knowing the techniques and

methods used in career development; understanding their appropriate uses.

Competency Identification Skill identifying the knowledge and skill requirements of jobs, tasks, and

roles.

Computer Competence understanding and/or using computer applications.

Electronic Systems Skill having knowledge of functions, features, and potential applications ofelectronic systems for the delivery and management of HRD.

Facilities Skill planning and coordinating logistics in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Objectives Preparation Skill preparing clear statements which describe desired outputs.

Performance Observation Skill tracking and describing behaviors and their effects.

Subject Matter Understanding knowing the content of a given function or discipline being addressed.

Training and Development Theories and Techniques Understanding knowing the theories and

methods used in trainingand understanding their appropriate use.

Research Skill selecting, developing, and using methodologies such as statistical and data collection

techniques for formal inquiry.

Business Understanding knowing how the functions of a business work and relate to each other;

knowing the economic impact of business decisions.

Cost-Benefit Analysis Skill assessing the alternatives in terms of their financial, psychological, and

strategic advantages and disadvantages.

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Delegation Skill assigning task responsibility and authority to others.

Industry Understanding knowing the key concepts and variables such as critical issues, economic

vulnerabilities, measurements, distribution channels, inputs, outputs, and information sources that define

an industry or sector.

Organization Behavior Understanding seeing organizations as dynamic political, economic, and

social systems which have multiple goals; using this larger perspective as a framework for understandingand influencing events and change.

Organization Development Theories and Techniques Understanding knowing the techniques and

methods used inorganization development; understanding their appropriate use.

Organization Understanding knowing the strategy, structure, power networks, financial position, and

systems of a specific organization.

Records Management Skill storing data in an easily retrievable form.

Coaching Skill helping individuals recognize and understand personal needs, values, problems,

alternatives, and goals.

Feedback Skill communicating information, opinions, observations, and conclusions so that they are

understood and can beacted upon.

Group Process Skill influencing groups so that tasks, relationships, and individual needs are

addressed.

Negotiation Skill securing win-win agreements while successfully representing a special interest in a

decision.

Presentation Skill presenting information orally so that an intended purpose is achieved.

Questioning Skill gathering information from stimulating insight in individuals and groups through use

of interviews, questionnaires, and other probing methods.

Relationship-Building Skill establishing relationships and networks across a broad range of people

and groups.

Writing Skill preparing written material that follows generally accepted rules of style and form, is

appropriate for the audience, is creative and accomplishes its intended purpose.

Data Reduction Skill scanning, synthesizing, and drawing conclusions from data.

Information Search Skill gathering information from printed and other recorded sources; identifying

and using information specialists and reference services and aids.

Intellectual Versatility recognizing, exploring, and using a broad range of ideas and practices;

thinking logically and creatively without undue influence from personal biases.

Model-Building Skill conceptualizing and developing theoretical and practical frameworks that

describe complex ideas in understandable, usable ways.

Observing Skill recognizing objectively what is happening in or across situations.

Self-Knowledge knowing ones personal values, needs, interests, style, and competencies and their

effects on others.

Visioning Skill projecting trends and visualizing possible and

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