The number of behavioral dimensions that exist within successful leaders are vast. Their knowledge, skills, and abilities play a significant role in their effectiveness as a leader. Mumford and colleagues’ skills model approach focused specifically on the leader’s individual attributes, the areas of competency, their impact on performance outcomes, career experiences, and environmental influences (Northouse, 2016). Individual attributes, competencies, and leadership outcomes will be the focus of this post.
Mumford et al.’s approach began with the foundation upon which a leader’s skills are nurtured (Pennsylvania State University World Campus, 2020). Individual attributes such as general and crystallized cognitive abilities, motivation, and personality are behavioral dimensions that influence how leaders guide their followers (Northouse, 2016). These unique characteristics allow leaders to develop different kinds of competencies.
Competencies are the categories of skills a leader can learn and strengthen. They include problem-solving skills, social judgment skills, and knowledge (PSUWC, 2020). For example, a pandemic would require a leader to use their different competencies in order to maintain their team’s productivity. A leader may need to exhibit behavioral flexibility (a social judgment skill) while their followers adjust to their “new normal”. The leader could share their knowledge of known software issues and how to troubleshoot them in order to make their team’s work-at-home transition smoother.
According to Mumford et al., the successful combination of individual attributes and competencies result in positive leadership outcomes such as effective problem solving and performance (PSUWC, 2020). If less desirable outcomes are realized, all is not lost! The skills model is based upon an individual’s capabilities, which are malleable in nature (Northouse, 2016). A leader may be well served to examine his or her individual attributes or competencies to learn what fell short and where improvement can be made in the future.
Reference:
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus. (2020). Lesson 4: Introduction to skills approach. PSYCH 485: Leadership in Work Settings. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2045005/modules/items/28166561