Core Competencies

What are the skills and attributes that successful collaborative leaders bring to their civic work? How can Leadership Austin help Central Texans hone their leadership skills to be more effective civic and business leaders? Based on interviews with experienced Central Texas leaders and on a review of research and best practices across the United States, Leadership Austin identified the following 13 core competencies for successful collaborative leaders. Mastery of these competencies enables civic leaders to work effectively at the highest levels of challenge, and business leaders to work successfully in diverse environments. They continue to be an influence on the curriculum for all Leadership Austin programming.

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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 an environment) Critical Thinking; Intellectual Capacity Discernment - has the ability to differentiate "spin" from substance; a sound idea 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 selfcorrective thinking Inclusion Believes that people of different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints bring added value to community discussion Is open to seeing things in new ways Actively seeks more extensive participation from the community 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 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 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 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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Social Capacity Skilled at relationship-building and intentional networking for community purposes Inspires others to get engaged; leads by example Effective in managing differences; creates an atmosphere of trust Focus on Results Has persistence; "sticktoittiveness" Plans and uses discipline in order to execute Has strategic agility; works around impediments and changes in the environment; finds alternative routes around roadblocks Vision Believes that together we can create a better future Holds constant the long-term idea ("North Star" metaphor) Acts through core values Stewardship Is committed to something bigger than oneself Maintains a broad community perspective, rather than a single-issue perspective Takes a long-term point of view as fundamental to the good of the community Recognizes and develops the leadership in others Promoting Respectful Dialogue Actively listens; "hears between the words" Is a "bridge-builder"; facilitates bringing together disparate points of view; is willing to occupy the "respectful center" to encourage dialogue Crafts compelling language in a way that engages and motivates others Fire in the Belly Acts out of passion Stays the course; community leadership can be tedious and tiring and difficult; "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 bold italics.

Adult learning understanding Career dev. theories & techniques understanding Competency identification skill Computer competence Electronic systems skill Facilities skill Objectives preparation skill Performance observation skill Subject matter understanding Training & dev. theories & techniques understanding Research skill Business understanding Cost-benefit analysis skill Delegation skill Industry understanding

Organization behavior understanding Organization dev. theories & techniques understanding Organization understanding Project management skill Records management skill Coaching skill Feedback skill Group process skill Negotiation skill Presentation skill Questioning skill Relationship-building skill Writing skill Data reduction skill Information search skill Intellectual versatility Model-building skill Observing skill Self-knowledge Visioning 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 of electronic 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 training and 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.

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 understanding and influencing events and change. Organization Development Theories and Techniques Understanding knowing the techniques and methods used in organization 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 be acted 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