APWA CORE
COMPETENCIES
Where did they come
from
• Leadership & Management
Committee
• Survey
• Analysis
• Reporter Articles
APWA CORE
COMPETENCIES
• Possesses
Integrity
• Is Accountable
• Is Decisive
• Is Public Service
Oriented
• Empowers Others
• Is Deliberate
• Is a Communicator
• Shows Respect for
Others
• Is Technically
Knowledgeable
• Manages
Resources
• Is Resilient
• Delegates
• Maintains Balance
Possesses Integrity
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Committed
True to yourself
Conscience
Different values = Disagreement
Both sides can maintain integrity
Leader asks organization to do as they do
Spin & integrity are not compatible
concepts
• Foundation of the other 12 competencies
Is Accountable
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Doing what we’re hired to do
Make & keep promises
Practice persistence & patience
Don’t expect others to do what you
won’t
• Behavior in sync with values
• Don’t focus on “what’s in it for me?”
Is Decisive
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Find a mentor for advice
Start small
Cost of evaluation vs. cost of risk
Be willing to admit when you’re
wrong
Is Public Service
Oriented
• Why do we do this?
– Variety
– Challenges
– Decision Making
– Project/program development
– Interaction
– Ability to make a difference
Empowers Others
• Create environment of support &
open communication
• Trust- Give permission to fail
– encourages risk taking, creativity,
initiative
• Be clear on limits of authority
• Principles of an empowered
organization
Empowers Others
Principles of an empowered
organization
– Leadership belongs to all employees
– Tools, training & authority made available
– Information is power & therefore shared
– Culture of support
– A continuous process
Is Deliberate
• Careful, thorough & aware of risks
• A Public Works Professional will:
– Listen to the problem
– Quickly absorb the data
– Calmly make a decision
• Analyze Risk 8 Seek Input 8 Act
quickly
• Decisions fit mission, vision, values
Is a Communicator
• Basic elements: Source, Message,
Channel & Audience
• Source: Prepare with right facts,
verbiage and material
• Message: Clarity, Simplicity, Details
• Channel: Brainstorm questions in
advance
• Audience: Define the target audience
Shows Respect for
Others
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Give respect to earn respect
Make it a habit
No one respects a bully
Demonstrate respect through
common courtesy:
– Undivided attention
– Be on time
• Remember you are being watched
Is Technically
Knowledgeable
• The way things work = building,
operating and maintaining
• Also need: finance, personnel,
administration, politics and more
• APWA offers wide array of
educational opportunities
• Need to maintain an attitude of
constant learning
Manages Resources
• How do you begin?
– Mission Statement
– Vision Statement
– Values of the organization
– Goals
– Strategies
– Accountability (performance indicators)
Manages Resources
• Methods
– Sharing of resources
– Utilizing your employees
– Reviewing your methods
– Developing a strategic plan
– Performance indicators
Is Resilient
• Basis for public service is loving
what we do.
• Some coping mechanisms
– Humor
– Seeing the “big picture”
– Remember the contribution you’re
making
– Encourage your peers
Delegates
• You can’t do it all yourself
• Connection to other core
competencies
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Communication
Accountability
Managing resources
Maintain balance
• Delegation is an indication of
trust
Maintains Balance
• Maintain Perspective
• You can’t do everything at once
• If you are out of action, you
cannot get the job done.
• Maintain effectiveness through
personal renewal.
Where can you get more
information?
• Leadership & Management
Committee
• Baker’s Dozen Articles
• APWA Staff
• Take the test