Competencies for Mission Leaders
The role of mission leader appeared in Catholic health care in the 1980s. First filled by religious from sponsoring congregations, the presence of the mission leader assured that, as operational responsibility was transferred to lay leaders, the executive team of a system or facility included an "expert" in issues related to Catholic identity.
In 1993, 95% of mission leaders were religious sisters or priests. In 2006, that percentage had dropped to about 66%. The current trend is moving strongly toward a mission role that is held by well-prepared lay leaders. Recognizing this trend early on, CHA developed a competency model for mission leaders in 1999 that provided guidance to theological education programs for developing curricula for future mission leaders.
Over time, the business of health care has become more complex as has the complexity of integrating Catholic mission and values into health care operations. This reality calls for a broader range of competencies for mission leaders that enable them to influence their organizations at every level and in every business decision. CHA again responded to this reality as it engaged in a collaborative and interactive process of evaluating the 1999 model and revising it to meet current needs.
In 2008, working with The Reid Group of Seattle, WA, CHA engaged the ministry in a series of online surveys, personal interviews and focus groups to understand the challenges, needs and hopes of over 200 CEOs, sponsors, mission leaders and others.
CHA is pleased to present the result of that work. The goal is to provide a resource for the Catholic health ministry that will:
- Reflect competencies and behaviors that are essential for a successful mission leader now and in the future at the system, regional and facility level.
- Act as a guide for sponsors, CEOs and human resource leaders as they shape the responsibilities of mission leaders and set criteria for selection of appropriate candidates.
- Aid Catholic health care ministries in the development of succession plans for future mission leaders
For additional information about this project, please contact Brian Yanofchick, CHA senior director of mission integration and leadership formation.
|
|
Click the buttons below to review each competency:
Self-Assessment Tool
The revised Mission Leader Competency Model also includes an assessment component that may be utilized by current mission leaders or those considering mission leadership to assess their proficiency in each of the six competencies. It may be used in dialogue with a supervisor or other person to identify areas for future growth. It addresses a set of personal qualifications important for a successful mission leader as well as specific skill sets. The assessment process includes a self-rating for each competency, a description of evidence that supports the rating, and the identification of specific steps to address areas for growth.
While the text is the same on the self assessment tool, there are two available options for use:
We hope you find this tool useful in your career planning. Please let us know any suggestions for greater ease of use and how you used it in your work.
|