The following competencies were developed for Minnesota State leadership development and evaluation. They are explored in detail in the 2013 and 2016 blog posts.
Leader of Self
Understands Self and Others
- Articulates own values and priorities.
- Understands individual role and demonstrates commitment to supporting the organization.
- Understands own personality and work style.
- Appreciates differences in personalities and work styles in others.
- Adapts communication to appeal to those differences.
- Demonstrates balance between humility and self-assurance.
- Understands the need for work/life balance and promotes balance for others.
Acts with Integrity
- Demonstrates honesty.
- Abides by all relevant laws, rules and regulations.
- Encourages others to do the same.
- Gives credit where credit is due.
- Delivers what is promised.
- Admits and learns from mistakes.
- Corrects mistakes to utmost ability.
Leader as Relationship Builder
Values Diversity
- Demonstrates inclusivity in work processes and work teams.
- Encourages and promote the diversification of our faculty, staff and student body.
- Actively seeks out and invites alternative viewpoints in planning, discussions, and decision making.
Communicates Effectively
- Effectively conveys ideas and shares information with others using appropriate methods.
- Listens carefully and understands differing points of view.
- Presents ideas clearly and concisely.
Builds Trust
- Builds trust with others by demonstrating respect, valuing people, and creating transparency.
- Keeps commitments.
- Extends trust to others.
- Inspires confidence both in word and deed.
- Actively works to restore trust when necessary.
- Keeps confidences when appropriate.
Leader as Manager
Customer Service
- Demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Listens attentively and respectfully.
- Responds effectively to internal and external customer needs, requests, and concerns.
- Exercises creative problem solving.
Builds Organizational Talent
- Makes sound hiring decisions.
- Provides a strong orientation.
- Sets clear expectations.
- Provides ongoing feedback; effectively coaches both good and bad performance.
- Partners with each employee in conducting meaningful performance evaluations.
- Helps each individual develop professionally.
- Holds each individual accountable for performance.
- Takes responsibility for their own professional development.
Demonstrates Good Stewardship
- Understands general principles of budgeting, finance and human resource management.
- Makes informed decisions regarding resource allocation.
- Communicates decisions regarding resources in an effective manner to stakeholders.
Leader as Innovator
Articulates Vision and Mission
- Understands institutional history and development.
- Projects institutional improvements and developments for the future.
- Demonstrates a student-centered approach.
- Anticipates change and leads and encourages adjustments in institutional roles.
- Seeks input and listens to all stakeholders.
- Communicates and explains the changing institutional vision and mission effectively to constituencies.
Builds Organizational Capacity to Meet Future Challenges
- Engages and supports appropriate risk-taking.
- Identifies and removes barriers to innovation.
- Rewards and supports innovations advancing excellence and efficiency.
- Promotes accountability for self and others.
- Collaborates across educational and governmental boundaries in the system, nation and world.
- Networks with innovative thinkers, developers and donors.
Demonstrates Effective Decision-Making
- Ability to creatively and efficiently solve problems.
- Demonstrates critical thinking and asks appropriate questions.
- Seeks alternative viewpoints.
- Uses appropriate decision-making methods based on the situation.
- Prepares stakeholders for and involves them in decisions that affect them.
- Communicates decisions effectively to stakeholders.
- Supports decisions once they are made.
Higher EDge 