The most important leadership competencies being “high ethical and moral standards” and “communicating clear expectations”. Taken together, these attributes are all about creating a safe and trusting environment. A leader with high ethical standards conveys a commitment to fairness, instilling confidence that both they and their employees will honor the rules of the game.
Similarly, when leaders clearly communicate their expectations, they avoid blindsiding people and ensure that everyone is on the same page. In a safe environment employees can relax, invoking the brain’s higher capacity for social engagement, innovation, creativity, and ambition.
The competency is all about behaving in a way that is consistent with your values. If you find yourself making decisions that feel at odds with your principles or justifying actions in spite of a nagging sense of discomfort, you probably need to reconnect with your core values.
What are leadership competencies?
Leadership competencies are skills and attributes that you can possess which make you a good leader. Your competency in or ability to show these skills may increase the trust and commitment that your team has in you. The most important leadership competencies inspire, encourage and facilitate to improve the productivity of their team. A successful team often works under the guidance of a strong leader.
Key leadership skills and qualities
Here are a few important examples or areas to focus on if you want to become a more competent leader:
Integrity
One of the most important leadership competencies is integrity. A leader who chooses to make moral choices for the good of others rather than themselves. Leaders with integrity prioritize the consistency of their character in both their personal and professional relationships. The leaders who incorporate integrity as one of the leadership competencies are honest, humble and reliable.
Self-discipline
Many of these competencies require leaders to have the fundamental quality of self-discipline, or the ability to control their feelings and overcome any personal challenges. Leaders act not out of their own interest but out of concern for others.
Communication
Leaders who communicate information concisely and efficiently are valuable in any work environment. This can allow them to share ideas with team members and provide detailed instructions for success. An equally important element of good communication is a leader’s ability to listen.
Effective leaders are willing to listen to input and ideas from their teammates. Team members who see that you respect and acknowledge their opinions and ideas are more willing to trust their leader’s decisions and judgment.
Trustworthy
Many industries operate based on established trust between employers, employees and consumers. To lead a team effectively, you can prove your trustworthiness to your both your superiors and your team members.
The more trustworthiness you show, the more opportunities you may have to succeed. Trustworthiness is acquired over time and can only be proven by action. Building trust with everyone in your workplace is an important part of being a competent leader.
Teamwork
A valuable quality in a leader is their ability to be a team player. Many teams function based on the individual skills and contributions of each team member. Good leaders know what each member of their team can contribute to a project. They know their team well enough to recognize their skills and know how to use them.
Exhibiting teamwork means prioritizing the good of the group over personal gain.
Prevent conflict
Competent leaders know how to manage and reduce conflict to preserve a pleasant and productive work environment. A strong leader understands how to develop systems that minimize the likelihood of conflict or minimize any negative effects if it arises.
If conflict begins between individuals or between teams, it can affect the atmosphere and productivity of the entire workplace. A leader who can act as a mediator is capable of dissolving the tension and reviving the cooperation of their team. Negotiation, compromise and tact are valuable skills in conflict management.
Problem solver
Leaders often use their creativity and practical experience to solve problems that arise in the workplace. For many leaders, the opportunity to lead comes with a certain amount of responsibility. When roadblocks appear, competent leaders draw on their resources to find actionable solutions.
You can gain problem-solving skills from practical work experience. Part of problem-solving is combining your knowledge of your job, your practical experience and creative thinking to solve any issues that arise.
Initiative
Initiative is the ability to make important decisions and complete work without anyone having to ask. Competent leaders see a need and take the steps necessary to fill it. They focus their energy on getting important projects off to a good start.
With deep self-reflection and a shift in perspective there are also enormous opportunities for improving everyone’s performance by focusing on our own.
