SIGMA’s Leadership Competency Framework

Are you looking for a systematic approach to identifying and developing your leaders? SIGMA can help. With more than 50 years of experience and a track record of success working with over 8,500 organizations across North America, we understand the recurring need for effective leadership development systems. To meet these needs, organizations require a robust leadership competency framework. Our comprehensive competency framework is designed for application across various industries, enabling organizations to effectively select, identify, and develop talent while measuring performance consistently.

What is a Competency?

A competency is a characteristic, skill, attitude, or behavior that enhances job performance. Competencies reflect what an employee does, feels, and knows about the job. A leadership competency, therefore, is a competency that enhances leadership performance. For more information about competencies and competency frameworks, explore SIGMA’s Competency Frameworks 101.

Our Framework

SIGMA’s leadership competency framework includes 50 competencies grouped into four categories. Competencies from each category can be custom-selected to suit your needs:

1. Cognitive leadership skills
2. Interpersonal leadership skills
3. Personal leadership qualities
4. Senior leadership skills

Cognitive Leadership Skills

Cognitive leadership skills emphasize decision-making and problem solving. Behaviors include analytical skills and technical proficiency, and the ability to demonstrate creativity and objectivity in working through problems, decisions, and risks.

Interpersonal Leadership Skills

Interpersonal leadership skills include working effectively and cooperatively with people and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships. Behaviors in this category include communication and negotiation skills, sensitivity to others, openness to suggestions, and the ability to manage others’ impressions.

Personal Leadership Qualities

Personal leadership qualities reflect the traits and personal characteristics that facilitate success in a leadership role. These qualities include demonstrating ambition, dependability, self-confidence, and the ability to adapt to new situations and remain composed under stress.

Senior Leadership Skills

Senior leadership skills are crucial for day-to-day operations and steering the organization in a positive direction. These behaviors involve setting clear objectives, planning and initiating structure, communicating performance expectations and priorities, and monitoring employee and team progress toward long-term goals. Besides managing performance, behaviors in this category include the ability to attract, select, and retain top talent.

Figure 1. SIGMA’s Leadership Competency Framework

Why Use a Framework?

Most organizations have a set of values or other guiding principles. Competency frameworks are slightly different. Unlike mission, vision, and values statements, which function as an overall philosophy, competency frameworks are more skills-based, mapping out the tangible requirements needed for leaders to thrive in a particular position. That means anyone can benefit from implementing a competency framework — even if your organization has other models in place. Here are just a few additional advantages a robust competency framework can bring:

• Common language for discussing performance and success.
• Enhanced organizational communication and teamwork.
• Systematic definition, evaluation, and development of leadership skills.
• Objective foundation for selection and promotion.
• Improved employee morale and job satisfaction.
• Development opportunities for individuals at all levels of leadership potential.

Ask Our Consultants

If you would like to speak with one of our consultants, please contact us at the link below. We’re happy to speak with you about SIGMA’s products, services, and how SIGMA’s framework can be mapped onto your own, or an existing model, and any other questions, comments, or concerns you may have.