Bennis’s leadership competencies
Bennis’s leadership approach identifies four competencies often described as management of attention, meaning, trust and self. Attention involves a clear direction or vision; meaning involves communicating its purpose; trust depends on credible, consistent behaviour; self involves understanding and developing one’s own strengths and limitations. Together they help explain how leaders gain commitment, rather than relying solely on formal authority or personal charisma.
Worked example
A new leader explains a service-improvement vision, connects it to each team’s work, follows through on commitments and seeks help with an unfamiliar technical area. These actions illustrate attention, meaning, trust and self respectively.
Common mistake
Communicating an attractive vision alone does not demonstrate all four competencies. Trust depends on behaviour over time.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |