Leadership competencies in the public service organizations in north Shoa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Public administration has become critical for nations and organizations in an increasingly complex and challenging environment. Leaders need to be competent in making good public leadership happen, yet many acknowledge that they are not sure that their practices would yield success. In this study, we explore the status of leadership competencies of public sector leaders in North Shoa Zone. A total of 800 questionnaires were administered to all top and deputy leaders in North Shoa Zone, but 783 questionnaires were properly filled and returned. A review of integrated leadership competencies that any leader need to practice was made. Respondents completed a structured questionnaire to indicate their perceived use of the competencies in their leadership practice and performance. Quantitative research method was used and descriptive data analysis technique with the help of SPSS version 18 was used to analyze the data. The result shows that out of the seven competencies that leaders must exhibit at higher level, leaders in North Shoa Zone of Amhara Region were aware and demonstrating only two of these competencies : personal factors and resource acumen. Their awareness and implementation of the other five leadership competencies constituent namely Leading Change, Leading People, Result Driven (Result Orientation), Managing Process and Building Coalition was low. Hence the study recommends that a training program on the seven Leadership Competencies and Emotional Intelligence to be organized and implemented continually to make the existing and new entrant public institution leaders effective in their leadership.