Loved this model of Leadership Capability Framework published by Australia Public Service Commission.
Shapes strategic thinking
Inspires a sense of purpose and direction
- Personally contributes to, shapes and champions the organisation's vision and goals, relating these to government requirements.
- Translates broad strategy into practical terms for others, and creates a shared understanding of what has to be achieved.
- Within the overall strategic context, presents others with an integrated picture of the actions and priorities that will be required.
- Provides them with a clear sense of direction and endeavours to unite understanding among all levels within the organisation.
Focuses strategically
- Develops advice to government on potential outcomes, and develops a long term perspective on organisational success.
- Integrates a 'big picture' view of goals with how to achieve them.
- Operates on the basis of a 'whole of government' framework and takes the broader context into account.
- Ensures portfolio effort contributes to cross-government priorities.
- Envisages what might be and how future possibilities balance with the 'here and now'.
Harnesses information and opportunities
- Seeks to acquire knowledge, and is open to new information and different perspectives.
- Values finding out about Australian and global best practice (public and private sector) and considers the workings of the organisation within this context.
- Demonstrates business acumen by thoroughly researching the market that the organisation operates in (and opportunities offered and constraints imposed) to yield greater efficiencies and improve quality of service.
- Keeps abreast of major technological changes and their impacts.
Shows judgement, intelligence and commonsense
- Grasps complexity and identifies issues that tend to be overlooked by others.
- Thinks through problems from various angles, and analyses them dispassionately and objectively.
- Probes and critically evaluates information before applying both intellect and experience to final judgement.
- Is willing and able to question traditional assumptions and practices rather than taking things as given.
- Has the capacity to provide originality of thought and develop innovative solutions.
Achieves results
Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
- Initiates fluid and flexible resourcing options based on an appreciation of emerging requirements in a constantly changing environment.
- Looks outside of organisational 'silos' to identify what resourcing combination will deliver the best results, rather than being bound by existing organisational structures and processes.
- Responds flexibly to various stakeholder requirements and changing circumstances as they arise, varying deployment of resources within imposed constraints.
- Exploits the advantages offered by information technology.
- Takes action to ensure sustainability.
Marshals professional expertise
- Values specialist expertise and places emphasis upon creating an environment which facilitates the sharing and effective utilisation of professional knowledge and skills.
- Ensures relevant professional input from others is obtained.
Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
- Develops and oversees the implementation of change initiatives in a sometimes uncertain environment.
- Defines high level objectives and ensures translation into practical implementation strategies.
- Undertakes both long and short term planning phases and sets timescales for completion.
Ensures closure and delivers on intended results
- Engenders a culture of achievement, by ensuring ideas and intended actions become reality and that planned projects actually result in expected outputs.
- Puts systems in place to establish and measure accountabilities.
Cultivates productive working relationships
Nurtures internal and external relationships
- Builds relationships with Ministers, within the organisation and with key people in external organisations.
- Proactively creates a professional network and develops mutually beneficial relationships based on respect.
- Shows commitment to customer service.
Facilitates cooperation and partnerships
- Puts effort into developing a work environment where people pull together and value collaboration and teamwork.
- Creates a sense of 'interconnectedness' with other departments and agencies, ensuring opportunities to share views and ideas.
- Personally manifests strong interpersonal relations by role-modelling 'team-player' behaviour, including a willingness to consult and listen.
Values individual differences and diversity
- Supports and respects the individuality of others and recognises the benefits of diversity of ideas and approaches.
- Recognises different skill areas and levels of expertise.
- Understands others and responds to them in an appropriate way.
Guides, mentors and develops people
- Inspires ongoing learning in others.
- Gives timely recognition for good performance.
- Motivates others with an enthusiasm to 'give their all' by setting challenging goals, as well as supporting and encouraging them when they need assistance to overcome problems.
- Helps others to address areas of weakness by encouraging them to take an active role in their own development, and creating a climate with right opportunities to do so.
- Understands when it is appropriate to confront issues and takes action to deal with difficult performance situations.
Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
Demonstrates public service professionalism and probity
- Adheres to and promotes the APS Values and ethical framework as set out in the APS Code of Conduct.
- Serves the government of the day irrespective of personal preferences.
- Implements policies and programs based on corporate decisions rather than personal views.
Engages with risk and shows personal courage
- Is prepared to be forthright and 'tell it like it is' (and not how people might like it to be).
- Is independently minded and willing to challenge ideas and confront issues.
- Is prepared to acknowledge when in the wrong, and learns from mistakes.
- Is also prepared to ask for help and values advice from others.
Commits to action
- Is determined, highly motivated and action-oriented.
- Takes personal responsibility for getting things done, and for the success of the organisation.
- Handles issues proactively and tries to shape events.
- Doesn't procrastinate.
- Readily invests energy and initiative into progressing work.
Displays resilience
- Remains focused on the objectives even in difficult circumstances.
- Bounces back after setbacks and remains positive.
- Maintains energy and willingly invests extra effort when required.
Demonstrates self awareness and a commitment to personal development
- Shows strong commitment to continued learning.
- Actively seeks feedback from a wide range of sources.
- Takes responsibility for own development and for managing self in a way which enables sustained performance.
- Looks for opportunities to enhance own skills.
- Values continuing development.
Communicates with influence
Communicates clearly
- Produces user-friendly verbal and written communication that is clear and concise.
- Ensures unambiguous delivery of the message, and checks that it has been understood as intended.
- Keeps people up to date and fully informed of any changes to the original communication.
Listens, understands and adapts to audience
- Listens actively to ensure views and information are properly exchanged.
- Checks with others to ensure their views have been accurately understood.
- Uses and adapts style as necessary to meet the requirements of the audience.
- Creates opportunities to listen to those whose input can add value.
Negotiates persuasively
- Establishes credibility and approaches negotiations persuasively.
- Offers a convincing rationale which has been thought through in advance and carefully positioned with reference to desired organisational outcomes.
- Allows for a genuine contest of ideas and pulls disparate views into a coherent position, and finds common ground to facilitate agreement and acceptance of mutually beneficial solutions.
- Reaches negotiated positions, through compromise, which lead to the achievement of the required outcomes.
