Seven competencies to help you reflect on your leadership and choose your next development priorities.
View framework & self-assessment
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A guide for your development
The framework describes leadership behaviours in local government finance. Use practical examples from your work to identify strengths and areas for development.
The framework is the result of GFOABC and its members working together over several years, building on leadership programming dating back to 2016. Finance professionals from different local governments tested the framework in their workplaces, and their feedback directly informed its final design, completed in 2022.
Today, the framework serves as the foundation for GFOABC’s professional development programs, from Boot Camp to Strategic Financial Leadership to our webinars and forums. All program offerings use the framework’s competencies and language.
Reflect on your experience
Consider the situation, your actions and the results.
Focus your feedback
Use the competencies to guide conversations with colleagues.
Plan your next steps
Choose learning, project work, coaching or mentoring to support your goals.
The full framework and self-assessment are available in MemberLink.
Seven leadership competencies
Strategic leadership
Set direction, understand context and respond to complexity.
Inclusive and effective collaboration
Build partnerships, involve others and support inclusion.
Service excellence
Understand needs and improve services, systems and results.
Continuous self-development
Build self-awareness, seek feedback and keep learning.
Innovative value creation
Test ideas, learn and adapt to improve outcomes.
Holistic critical thinking and decision making
Consider different perspectives, long-term effects and trade-offs.
Effective communication and engagement
Adapt your message and explain financial information clearly.
Three levels of competency
Levels describe behaviours in context, rather than job titles or grades. Your demonstrated level depends on the competency and situation.
Level 1
Participates in change within a smaller sphere of influence.
Level 2
Improves approaches, supports others and considers a broader perspective.
Level 3
Sets direction, leads change and works with complexity and ambiguity.