Comments on: The Role of competence http://rrajasek.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/the-role-of-competence/ IU KSB J506 Leadership BLOG Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:33:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: rrajasek http://rrajasek.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/the-role-of-competence/#comment-6 rrajasek Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:53:00 +0000 http://rrajasek.wordpress.com/?p=11#comment-6 Paul, Interesting thoughts....most of which I concur with. A good leader in my opinion is someone who is at the intersection of both the professional and character competence. Now one might outweigh the other in certain leadership roles, but BOTH are required. As professionals we are often faced with both kinds of superiors - one that is professionally competent but very difficult on the character side and vice-versa. So, I guess what I am saying is that in today's world, professional competency is superseding competency of character due to various economic/financial reasons. Competency of character is on the decline....there still persists to be an increasing number of ethical and in some cases legal issues in the business world. Regarding your thoughts on leadership authenticity, I guess it hits corporate/business ethics right at the core! And in the business world, ethics are pretty much well defined...yet NOT very well followed! Books like Trevino and others are written to define and articulate them. Business Schools are including business ethics in their curriculum. Aligning your own moral compass with the ethics of the corporate world is the essence of my discussion of gaining competence of character. Yes, it is extremely hard to do and there is no immediate benefits but very much achievable and more importantly, sustainable. Of course we have to remind ourselves that Leadership is BY CHOICE and you can choose not to do the alignment or do it in varying degrees or even fake it...but we have evidence of the results! Paul,
Interesting thoughts….most of which I concur with. A good leader in my opinion is someone who is at the intersection of both the professional and character competence. Now one might outweigh the other in certain leadership roles, but BOTH are required. As professionals we are often faced with both kinds of superiors – one that is professionally competent but very difficult on the character side and vice-versa. So, I guess what I am saying is that in today’s world, professional competency is superseding competency of character due to various economic/financial reasons. Competency of character is on the decline….there still persists to be an increasing number of ethical and in some cases legal issues in the business world.
Regarding your thoughts on leadership authenticity, I guess it hits corporate/business ethics right at the core! And in the business world, ethics are pretty much well defined…yet NOT very well followed! Books like Trevino and others are written to define and articulate them. Business Schools are including business ethics in their curriculum.
Aligning your own moral compass with the ethics of the corporate world is the essence of my discussion of gaining competence of character. Yes, it is extremely hard to do and there is no immediate benefits but very much achievable and more importantly, sustainable. Of course we have to remind ourselves that Leadership is BY CHOICE and you can choose not to do the alignment or do it in varying degrees or even fake it…but we have evidence of the results!

]]> By: Paul Kibiger http://rrajasek.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/the-role-of-competence/#comment-5 Paul Kibiger Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:23:04 +0000 http://rrajasek.wordpress.com/?p=11#comment-5 Ruchi, I would be curious to read a follow up regarding professional competence. Can one be a good leader without that professional competence? I have great difficulty respecting a boss who I feel has little idea as to what it takes to be successful. Also, a few thoughts on authenticity. I understand what you are saying in reference to being true to oneself and staying on track with your moral compass. Being authentic (and ethical) is much more difficult to do that most people make it sound. The sell offs of oneself are so easy to do, especially when the costs are great and there is no apparent short term benefit (not saying anything when you learn your boss is having an affair with his assistant). I suppose my question is what if I am aware that my moral compass is less strict than the values of the company? At what point is it best to fake it. Lord knows I have plenty of growth and understanding in the terms of ethics and the consequences of actions (not just my own), what is your opinion of those who want to do good, just do not always understand what the good is. And my argument is based on good is not always clearly defined. Ruchi,
I would be curious to read a follow up regarding professional competence. Can one be a good leader without that professional competence? I have great difficulty respecting a boss who I feel has little idea as to what it takes to be successful.

Also, a few thoughts on authenticity. I understand what you are saying in reference to being true to oneself and staying on track with your moral compass. Being authentic (and ethical) is much more difficult to do that most people make it sound. The sell offs of oneself are so easy to do, especially when the costs are great and there is no apparent short term benefit (not saying anything when you learn your boss is having an affair with his assistant). I suppose my question is what if I am aware that my moral compass is less strict than the values of the company? At what point is it best to fake it. Lord knows I have plenty of growth and understanding in the terms of ethics and the consequences of actions (not just my own), what is your opinion of those who want to do good, just do not always understand what the good is. And my argument is based on good is not always clearly defined.

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