Running head: LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Leadership Competencies
Randall S. Jobski
Siena Heights University

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Leadership Competencies

Being a strong and effective leader involves invoking and positively utilizing a multitude
of leadership competencies. These include honesty, trustworthiness, humility, courage, charisma,
drive, compassion, and a host of others. This discussion will focus on three important
competencies the author feels significantly contributes to successful leadership, namely
communication, vision, and empowerment.
Communication
Definition
The dictionary defines communication as (a) a giving or exchanging of information,
signals, or messages by talk, gestures, writing, etc., (b) the art of expressing ideas, especially in
speech and writing (Guralnik, 1984, p. 287).
Communication in Leadership
The first leadership competency to consider is communication. Communication is
obviously important in humanity for it allows, among many other things, for two or more
individuals to work together to set and achieve common goals. This leads to progress. In a
similar way, it is critical for a successful leader to be a proficient communicator with his or her
team. According to Savage-Austin and Honeycutt (2011), Research showed that . . . openly
communicating with others allows for the creation of trust, the exchange of information, and
increased loyalty between leaders and organizational members (p.52-53). Working together
utilizing two-way, transparent, open communication, a leader and his or her followers will be
well positioned to achieve the goals set forth for their team.

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Vision

Definition
The dictionary defines vison as (a) a mental image; especially an imaginative
contemplation, (b) the ability to perceive something not actually visible, as through mental
acuteness or keen foresight (Guralnik, 1984, p. 1,588).
Vision in Leadership
If a team, including its leadership, are communicating effectively, and are ready to
achieve a common set of goals, then what goals should they achieve? This is where the second
leadership competency of vision comes into play. Morden (1997) offers that the leader uses
vision to build a bridge from the present to the future of the organization (Vision and holism,
para 6). Thus, the leader must have a solid understanding where they want to take the
organization, establish a clear, concise vision for this future, and then through team
communication and collaboration, goals will be set to build that bridge allowing the movement
of the organization from here to there.
Empowerment
Definition
The dictionary defines empowerment as (a) authority or power given to someone to do
something, (b) the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling
ones life and claiming ones rights (Empowerment, n.d.).
Empowerment in Leadership
Having the ability to effectively communicate with ones team, and having this team
aligned on a common vision is a fantastic start to a successful conclusion, but what is missing

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

now is the actions taken by the workforce to actually reach that vision. The third leadership
competency of empowerment is important here. Johnson (1994) notes that a workforce
[without empowerment] is composed of people who are passive and unmotivated. Employees
who are empowered are less risk-aversive, more creative, and more willing to suggest bolder
solutions (Abstract section, para 1). Leaders who empower their teams unleash and utilize the
wisdom of all involved. Hence, the success of reaching or exceeding the vision does not solely
rest on the capability, knowledge, and experience of the leader.
Conclusion
There are a great deal of leadership competencies that one can discuss that contribute to
being a successful leader. The more of these traits the leader has positively mastered, the higher
the probability the person will effectively and efficiently lead their team. Three leadership
competencies of note are communication, vision, and empowerment of the team. As discussed,
communication allows two or more people to work together to set goals. For a team to be
effective, they must aim their goals at a common vision set by leadership. And, through
empowerment, the whole team can actively work at achieving the vision.

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References

Empowerment (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionaries online. Retrieved from

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/empowerment
Guralnik, D. B. (Ed.). (1984). Websters new world dictionary of the American language (2nd
College Ed). New York, NY: New World Dictionaries / Simon and Schuster.
Johnson, P. R. (1994). Brains, heart and courage: Keys to empowerment and self-directed
leadership. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 9(2), 17. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/215866129?accountid=28644
Morden, T. (1997). Leadership as vision. Management Decision, 35(9), 668-672. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/212052878?accountid=28644
Savage-Austin, A., & Honeycutt, A. (2011). Servant leadership: A phenomenological study of
practices, experiences, organizational effectiveness, and barriers. Journal of Business &
Economics Research, 9(1), 52-53. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/848788676?accountid=28644