Assignment Title: Skill approach

Kotebe University of Education

Prepared by: Emebetsew Zewdu

ID: - PGW25687/14
Department of educational leadership and education
EDPM682: Leadership in education
Submitted to: - Dr. Sirak D.
29/10/2022
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Technical Skill.......................................................................................................................................2
Human Skill...........................................................................................................................................3
Conceptual Skill....................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................4

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 Introduction
In the rapidly emerging environment, it is essential for leaders to acquire multiple skills in
order to conquer the business world among rivals. In association with leaders with different
styles, it can be identified that every successful leaders have some unique set of skills. In fact,
there are three main basic skills which are assisting those leaders to climb up to the top of the
business. “Technical, Human And Conceptual are those unique set of skills (Burkus, 2010).
These three skills are well interrelated as well
Technical skill refers to proficiency in a specific activity or type of work. Human skill refers
to being able to work with people and conceptual skill refers to the ability to work with
broad concepts and ideas.
This approach ensures that, while all skills were important for leaders, their level of
importance is depending on the organizational level of leaders. As leaders move through the
levels of the organization from lower to upper, skill importance moves from Technical
through Human to Conceptual.”

Technical Skill
Katz (1974), defines the Technical skill as the understanding of, and proficiency in, a specific
kind of activity, particularly one involving methods, processes, procedures, or techniques. It
is also primarily concerned with working with processes or physical objects.
Technical skill involves specialized knowledge, analytical ability within that speciality, and
facility in the use of the tools and techniques of the specific discipline. I.e. Technical skill of
a Surgeon, a Musician, an engineer, An Architect.   

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Human Skill
Human skill is, “Ability to work effectively as a group member and to build cooperative
effort within the team he leads” defined by Katz, (1974).
It is mainly concerned with working with human. This skill is demonstrated in the way the
individual recognition of his superiors, peers, and subordinates, and in the way he behaves
consequently. The leader with highly developed human skill is aware of his own attitudes,
expectations, and beliefs about other individuals and groups. I.e. Communication, Empathy,
Self-awareness, Growth mindset.

Conceptual Skill
Conceptual skill involves the ability to see the organization as a whole. It also includes
knowing how the various functions of the organization depend on each other, and how
changes in one part affect the organization. Further, it extends to think about the relationship
of the individual business to the industry, the community, and the political, social, and
economic forces of the nation as a whole. I.e. Decision-making skills, Innovation

Accordingly, the above graph explains that Supervisory Management requires a lot
of Technical Skills comparatively to the Top Management. Top Management requires
comparatively more Conceptual Skills than Technical. However, whether if the leader is
assigned to any management level, it is required to have the highest Human Skills. 
Northouse (2013), identified the following strengths and weaknesses of the Three Skill
Approach.
Three Skill Approach makes leadership available to everyone on learned skills rather than on
traits. It provides a strong view of leadership that incorporates a wide variety of components
such as problem-solving skills and social judgment skills. Same time providing a structure
that is dependable with leadership education.

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Strengths of Three Skill Approach  (Northouse, 2013)Helps to develop a strong
understanding of leadership. Works to stress the concept of developing leadership skills,
rather than focusing on the ones that are already possessed. The appealing model describes
leadership to everyone, does not single out a specific individual.
Includes multiple components. Consistent structure which works well together with many
leadership education programs. It allows for individuals to associate on many levels, whether
they are in a low, middle, or high place in management.
Multiple different skills to possess, each of Mumford’s stages are broken up into specifics,
allowing for growth in each. The skill approach leaves room for improvement and
development. Further, Northhouse (2013), also explains certain weaknesses in the Skill
Approach as well.
Three Skill Approach does not explain how skills could lead to effective leadership
performance. It includes certain native abilities which are trait-like such as motivation and
thinking ability. Fundamentals of Skill Approach are in-depth, making the approach more
common and less detailed.
Weaknesses of Three Skill Approach  (Northouse, 2013) Extends beyond leadership, it is
hard to focus on developing as a leader. Becomes complicated when more than just
leadership qualities are being discussed, makes it hard to focus on specific skills. Weak in
predictive value, does not explain how specific skill sets will impact performance exactly.
It is hard to understand the progress if you are uncertain of which skills are being focused on.
Three Skill Approach claims, that it is not a trait model, but many of the attributes are “trait-
like” Not suitable for all contexts of leadership, since limitations towards the general public.
Benefits of Skills-based Leadership As per studies by May (2019), one of the key benefits of
the three skill-based theory of leadership is, it acknowledges that anyone can become a
leader. Further, Individuals need only work hard to develop the skills of a good leader.
Further, three skill approach is encouraging for people who are interested in becoming a
leader but do not have the traits or inborn abilities as specified in other leadership theories. A
skill-based leadership theory also makes it easy to select a leader by analyzing each potential
leader's skills in the important areas.

 Conclusion
The Three Skill Approach explains that a leader is required to have three main skills in order
to become a successful leader. With these three skills, a leader will be much effective and
influential. With a skilful leader and loyal followers, the goals of any organization can be
reached a lot easier and faster.
Therefore, for everyone who dreams to become a successful leader, it is essential to study and
develop Technical, Human and Conceptual skills accordingly

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References
David Burkus - Author of The Myths of Creativity. 2020. Skills Theory - David Burkus.
[ONLINE] Available at: https://davidburkus.com/2010/02/skills-theory/.
Katz, R., 1974. Skills of an Effective Administrator. 1st ed. https://hbr.org/1974/09/skills-of-
an-effective-administrator#:~:text=Three-Skill Approach 1 Technical skill. 3 Conceptual
skill. Harvard Business Review.
May, K., 2019. Skills-Based Leadership Theory. 1st ed.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/skillsbased-leadership-theory-31074.html: chron.com.
Northouse, P. (2013) Leadership: Approach and Practice. 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, California:
Sage Publishing.
YouTube. 2020. Three Skills Approach to Management - YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAAC7_fdAzI.