The skills approach to leadership focuses on the belief that certain abilities, knowledge, and skills that can be learned or developed are important to leadership. This theory evaluates the success of a leader on the basis of what they can accomplish. By focusing on what they can do instead of who they are, this concept allows for leadership to be available to everyone instead of a select few with the right leadership traits. The three main skills needed for leadership, according to this theory, are technical, human, and conceptual. Different types of leaders use these three skill sets in different ways to accomplish their goals. In the model for this leadership style, a leader’s attributes, personality, and cognitive abilities influence their acquired skills and knowledge which they use to problem solve and achieve a goal. The leader’s individual attributes and skills are influenced by their past career experiences, while their attributes, skills, and performances are all influenced by environmental factors outside the control of the leader. Together this all makes up the skills model of leadership. I think that this is an important and useful leadership theory. While some people naturally have more leadership qualities than others, I believe that everyone has the potential to be a leader and it is important for everyone to obtain leadership skills and understand how to best use them. This is important because no matter how much or how little of a natural leader someone is, everyone will be placed in a leadership role at some point in their life. This theory helps people how to use their personal attributes along with problem solving, social judgment skills, and knowledge to achieve or solve any problems that come their way.

Below is the skills model associated with the skills approach to leadership.