FAS Foreign Service Professional Competencies | Leadership Skills - FAS Vice President

Leadership Skills

Sub-skills Tier I (FS-04/03) Tier II (FS-02/01) Tier III (SFS)

Creating Vision and Inspiring Commitment Plans and carries out individual work in the context of work unit strategic objectives; actively participates in and involves others in developing and implementing work unit strategic objectives; assesses progress and makes needed adjustments. Leads the development, implementation and coordination of work unit strategic objectives; involves staff and stakeholders; assesses and modifies work objectives as appropriate; inspires others to implement objectives by fostering open and honest communication and by rewarding employees for strong performance. Skilled at framing a clear and compelling vision of what “ought to be”; effectively communicates this vision to employees and stakeholders; inspires others to follow.

Leading Change and Engendering Organization-al Capability Open to change, new information and alternative approaches; quickly adjusts focus to shifting priorities or new demands and takes effective action, even in ambiguous circumstances; treats change and new situations as opportunities for learning and growth; seeks out situations where he/she can play a leadership role by advocating effective approaches and influences others to follow; strives for continual improvement. Articulates reasons for changes initiated in the workplace; involves employees in changes that affect them and keeps people informed; aligns goals of work unit with the strategic goals and plans of the agency; helps others to see how their work contributes to broader organizational goals; ensures employees in work unit have necessary information and techniques to manage change; demonstrates openness to new approaches and strives for continual improvement in work unit performance. Leads change that enhances organizational capability by effectively leading people, leading strategy and initiatives, influencing and executing work across divisions and functional units, and collaborating with stakeholders; builds awareness of the need for change; actively sponsors change to achieve results; proactively manages resistance to change; focuses on performance and progress against change milestones; takes risks; learns from mistakes and embraces continual improvement.

Initiative, Innovation and Creativity Takes initiative to go beyond assigned tasks; identifies problems and proposes creative solutions; seeks to improve job and organizational performance. Develops insights into situations and applies them in the workplace; devises innovative solutions to make organizational improvements and policy adjustments; fosters a work environment that encourages creativity, initiative and innovation. Enacts innovative ideas; encourages creative thinking, initiative, innovation and risk taking; takes a long-term view and acts as a catalyst for constructive change.

Openness to Dissent Demonstrates the intellectual integrity to speak openly within channels and a willingness to risk criticism to voice sensible dissent. Publicly supports official decisions, even when disagreeing with them. Discerns when well-founded dissent is justified; engages in constructive advocacy of policy alternatives; encourages and guides staff to do the same. Accords importance to well founded dissent and encourages and defends its appropriate expression; leads agency efforts to incorporate improvements suggested by dissent.

Critical Thinking Identifies key information, central issues and common themes; distinguishes relevant from irrelevant information; identifies the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches; outlines realistic options. Isolates key points, central issues, and common themes in a mass of complex information; determines the best solution or action from a range of options; is objective in analyzing problems and judging people; encourages staff to analyze situations and propose options, giving constructive feedback. Analyzes and defines complex policy issues clearly, in terms which permit them to be dealt with in a practical way; correctly senses when it is appropriate to take risks, and does so; ensures critical thinking is integral to the strategic planning and evaluation process; also ensures incentives and awards support critical thinking.

Internal and External Awareness Understands institutional realities, which may affect work; understands the role and power of various offices and people, both domestically and abroad; uses institutional knowledge to get things done. Applies knowledge of institutional realities to policy and operational issues; crosses institutional boundaries in obtaining information and building support; operates on an equal footing with officials in other bureaus, agencies, foreign governments, business communities, and academia; assists staff to comprehend the institutional influences within which they work. Uses understanding of the national policy making and implementation process to formulate effective strategies consistent with achieving organizational objectives; identifies and integrates key issues affecting the organization, including political, economic, social, technological and administrative factors.