ABSTRACT
Competency-based approaches emphasize the role of individuals in leadership processes and applied utility in theory development. All competency-based approaches focus on relatively universal characteristics in either a specific context—for example, from the perspective of a specific organization—or a generic perspective—for example, emotional intelligence or planned organizational change. Those using competency-based approaches can enhance their utility and reduce the criticism. The leadership action cycle (LAC) is designed to be useful in explaining leadership in public contexts from an individual leader's perspective. It identifies nine factor clusters, of which six are the traditional leader competencies— traits, skills, styles— and three are types of behaviors. The leadership action cycle is sufficiently detailed to cover most of the organizational competencies required of leaders in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. All competency-based approaches focus on leader characteristics, and some are essentially pure trait theories that are largely devoid of situational factors.
