DEFINITIONS OF LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
A simple leadership competencies definition can be hard to find. Many organizations and experts have attempted to provide a leadership competencies definition only to complicate things even more for their readers.
In our search for a clear and concise leadership competencies definition we have come across what we feel are some of the best definitions for what leadership competencies are, and exactly what is meant by this leadership development term. Here are just a few of what we consider to be the best definitions of leadership competencies from very reliable and well respected organizations.
FROM THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
"Leadership competencies are leadership skills and behaviors that contribute to superior performance. By using a competency-based approach to leadership, organizations can better identify and develop their next generation of leaders. Essential leadership competencies and global competencies have been defined by researchers. However, future business trends and strategy should drive the development of new leadership competencies. While some leadership competencies are essential to all firms, an organization should also define what leadership attributes are distinctive to the particular organization to create competitive advantage."
FROM BERSIN BY DELOITTE
"Successful leadership development programs are based on leadership competencies that drive an organization’s business goals. By isolating and agreeing upon leadership competencies most important to your business, you will have the foundation for leadership development, as well as succession planning, career development and other talent processes...Competencies provide directional guidance to executives who are looking for signposts that explain what they are expected to do."
FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY
"Leadership Competencies...in the most general terms, are “things” that an individual must demonstrate to be effective in a job, role, function, task, or duty. These “things” include job-relevant behavior (what a person says or does that results in good or poor performance), motivation (how a person feels about a job, organization, or geographic location), and technical knowledge/skills (what a person knows/demonstrates regarding facts, technologies, a profession, procedures, a job, an organization, etc.). LeadershipCompetencies are identified through the study of jobs and roles."
FROM MINDTOOLS
"Many companies use ‘competencies.' These are the integrated knowledge, skills, judgment, and attributes that people need to perform a job effectively. By having a defined set of leadership competencies for each role in your business, it shows workers the kind of behaviors the organization values, and which it requires to help achieve its objectives. Defining which leadershipcompetencies are necessary for success in your organization can help you do the following: ensure that your people demonstrate sufficient expertise, recruit and select new staff more effectively, evaluate performance more effectively, identify skill and competency gaps more efficiently, provide more customized training and professional development, plan sufficiently for succession, make change management processes work more efficiently." Additions in italics.
FROM "WHAT ARE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES" BY SUHAKA LDA
"In its most simple form, think of a leadership competency as anything a leader is, knows, or does. When we ask “what are leadership competencies” we are really asking is “what do leaders need to know, do, and be.” A good leadership competencies definition is critical to helping ensure the success of any leadership competencies development effort in your organization. If people don't know exactly what you mean when you say leadership competencies, good luck making your program a success. Do you have a leadership competencies definition that has worked for you? Contact us and share your definition and we will consider it for inclusion in this white paper.
In our search for a clear and concise leadership competencies definition we have come across what we feel are some of the best definitions for what leadership competencies are, and exactly what is meant by this leadership development term. Here are just a few of what we consider to be the best definitions of leadership competencies from very reliable and well respected organizations.
FROM THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
"Leadership competencies are leadership skills and behaviors that contribute to superior performance. By using a competency-based approach to leadership, organizations can better identify and develop their next generation of leaders. Essential leadership competencies and global competencies have been defined by researchers. However, future business trends and strategy should drive the development of new leadership competencies. While some leadership competencies are essential to all firms, an organization should also define what leadership attributes are distinctive to the particular organization to create competitive advantage."
FROM BERSIN BY DELOITTE
"Successful leadership development programs are based on leadership competencies that drive an organization’s business goals. By isolating and agreeing upon leadership competencies most important to your business, you will have the foundation for leadership development, as well as succession planning, career development and other talent processes...Competencies provide directional guidance to executives who are looking for signposts that explain what they are expected to do."
FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY
"Leadership Competencies...in the most general terms, are “things” that an individual must demonstrate to be effective in a job, role, function, task, or duty. These “things” include job-relevant behavior (what a person says or does that results in good or poor performance), motivation (how a person feels about a job, organization, or geographic location), and technical knowledge/skills (what a person knows/demonstrates regarding facts, technologies, a profession, procedures, a job, an organization, etc.). LeadershipCompetencies are identified through the study of jobs and roles."
FROM MINDTOOLS
"Many companies use ‘competencies.' These are the integrated knowledge, skills, judgment, and attributes that people need to perform a job effectively. By having a defined set of leadership competencies for each role in your business, it shows workers the kind of behaviors the organization values, and which it requires to help achieve its objectives. Defining which leadershipcompetencies are necessary for success in your organization can help you do the following: ensure that your people demonstrate sufficient expertise, recruit and select new staff more effectively, evaluate performance more effectively, identify skill and competency gaps more efficiently, provide more customized training and professional development, plan sufficiently for succession, make change management processes work more efficiently." Additions in italics.
FROM "WHAT ARE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES" BY SUHAKA LDA
"In its most simple form, think of a leadership competency as anything a leader is, knows, or does. When we ask “what are leadership competencies” we are really asking is “what do leaders need to know, do, and be.” A good leadership competencies definition is critical to helping ensure the success of any leadership competencies development effort in your organization. If people don't know exactly what you mean when you say leadership competencies, good luck making your program a success. Do you have a leadership competencies definition that has worked for you? Contact us and share your definition and we will consider it for inclusion in this white paper.