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.
