Hokie Dozen Leadership Competencies

The Hokie Dozen are competencies that are part of all Virginia Tech leadership development programs. There are 13 because, just like our community, there is always room for one more. Following is more information on these competencies. 

• Accountability and Responsibility: Holds oneself and others accountable for high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results by setting priorities, delegating, and accepting responsibility for mistakes. Takes appropriate and timely action to correct errors considering both organizational and human impacts.
• Advocacy: Builds and maintains legitmacy and trust through honest relationships, ethical behavior, and positive, open communication. Acts as an ally by seeking input and feedback regarding the impacts of existing and proposed policies and regulations on the organization, workplace environment, and the quality of life of individuals.
• Collaboration and Team Development: Works in cooperation with others to achieve goals and maximize impact. Develops teams by empowering them to increase their capabilities, maximize their potential, and recognize their options. Actively promotes the value and necessity of working collaboratively for the good of individuals and the organization in the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
• Communication: Recognizes that people understand and express themselves in different ways.
• Cultural Competency: In the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), is committed to supporting our diverse community in an inclusive and welcoming manner. Values the diverse backgrounds and characteristics of individuals, and helps other university members understand and respond to the culture of individuals and their family/support networks.
• Developing Others: Provides ongoing feedback and opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Developing Self: Identifies and seeks opportunities for professional development based on personal strengths and needs, the impact on others, and emerging evidence-based practices.
• Ethics and Principles of Community: Demonstrates professional standards and codes of ethical behavior and social accountability. Demonstrates individual commitment to the Principles of Community.
• Initiative: Identifies and addresses current and future challenges or opportunities, and confidently uses critical-thinking skills and innovative thinking to implement solutions and resolve conflicts.
• Managing Change: Demonstrates support for organizational changes needed to improve effectiveness, including initiating, sponsoring, and implementing changes or helping others successfully manage it.
• Organizational Awareness and Practice: Understands the dynamics, formal and informal decision-making structures, and power relationships in the organization and in the field of long-term services and supports, and puts the organization's mission and visions into practice.
• Performance Development: Systematically measures organizational performance, implements evidence-based strategies to improve performance, and empowers other university members to participate in these efforts.
• Strategic Decision Making: Formulates priorities and implements plans with long-term interest in mind while making effective and timely decisions.