Senior Leader Skills
Self Assessment Guide
We have compiled a list of 22 skills which are important for senior leaders to perform their roles effectively. These are listed in the table below.
Keep a paper and pen handy!
Now - as you scroll through the list of skills, reflect on your proficiency level for each skill and make a note of it -
Skill #1 - 2
Skill #2 - 1
Skill #3 - ...
Add it all up! You will get a score somewhere between 22 and 66.
Scroll down for an interpretation of your score.

Title | Skills | Basic Proficiency | Intermediate Proficiency | Expert Proficiency |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Strategic vision and planning | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2 | Financial management | 1 | 2 | 3 |
3 | Fundraising & Resource mobilization | 1 | 2 | 3 |
4 | Community aligned program design | 1 | 2 | 3 |
5 | Systems thinking | 1 | 2 | 3 |
6 | Collaboration and partnership building | 1 | 2 | 3 |
7 | Advocacy and public engagement | 1 | 2 | 3 |
8 | Innovation and adaptation | 1 | 2 | 3 |
9 | Organization governance and structure | 1 | 2 | 3 |
10 | Change management | 1 | 2 | 3 |
11 | Organization performance management | 1 | 2 | 3 |
12 | People engagement & motivation | 1 | 2 | 3 |
13 | Succession planning | 1 | 2 | 3 |
14 | Organization brand ambassadorship | 1 | 2 | 3 |
15 | Stakeholder engagement & management | 1 | 2 | 3 |
16 | Communication | 1 | 2 | 3 |
17 | Critical thinking | 1 | 2 | 3 |
18 | Resilience & wellbeing | 1 | 2 | 3 |
19 | Technology Leverage | 1 | 2 | 3 |
20 | Intercultural sensitivity & competence | 1 | 2 | 3 |
21 | Continuous learning | 1 | 2 | 3 |
22 | Knowledge management & documentation | 1 | 2 | 3 |

YOUR SCORE
and next steps


22 - 30
The Time is NOW!
You have already taken the first few steps on your learning journey by completing this self reflection!
Pick 2 - 3 skills you would like to develop over the next 6 - 12 months.
Share those skills with a buddy who can periodically check with you on the progress you are making.
Scan the Roots Learning platform regularly for avenues to grow those skills!


31 - 52
Let's ACCELERATE!
You are off to a promising start!
Look at your scores and ask yourself - Which are the skills I need to do even better in my current role? Which skills should I focus on to grow into the next role?
Pick 2 - 3 skills you would like to develop over the next 6 - 12 months.
Share those skills with a buddy who can periodically check with you on the progress you are making.
Scan the Roots Learning platform regularly for avenues to grow those skills!

53 - 66
Take the LEAP!
You are perfectly poised for growth! This could be a new role, mentoring young team members, becoming a subject matter expert...! The possibilities are endless!
Pick 2 - 3 skills you would like to understand more deeply / gain new perspectives in over the next 6 - 12 months.
Share those skills with a buddy who can periodically check with you on the progress you are making.
Scan the Roots Learning platform regularly for avenues to grow those skills!
