Author(s)

Simon A. Black

Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom.

The wildlife conservation sector has been slow to examine how to better lead and manage its work and there are few empirically-based studies of conservation leadership. This study examines the importance of a wide range of leadership practices previously identified in leadership frameworks in literature. The relative importance of these practices was considered by a sample of 111 diverse conservation professionals from across the globe through an on-line survey. A principle components analysis extracted six factors which best described variances across 68 leadership items in a structure which was stable, reliable and valid. The analysis presents the first empirically-derived model of conservation leadership, including broad constructs (essentially areas of leadership competence) and clearly defined items (specific competencies) within each construct. Importantly, these constructs and the headings within challenge traditional notions of what leaders do, yet resonate strongly with a modern understanding of leadership, and in particular within the context of contemporary conservation challenges. Particularly, novel aspects in the model include: 1) an emphasis on knowledge of operational work and 2) authentic, dignified interactions with people (staff, partners and communities) and 3) a leaders’ primary focus on the needs of ecosystems and species of concern. The six-factor model provides a strong basis for a future leadership development curriculum to enable thorough, integrated personal development for conservation professionals. The study offers a novel framework for guiding leadership development in the wildlife conservation sector. The detailed framework offers an important description of the specific areas of competence needed by professionals leading initiatives in complex systems of ecological, social, economic and political contexts, where personal, analytical, behavioural, and practical competencies are essential for success. This is the first such model to encompass all these areas of leadership competence.

Leadership, Management, Factor Analysis, Competence, Capacity Development, Conservation Professionals

Black, S. (2021) A Leadership Competence Framework to Support the Development of Conservation Professionals. Open Journal of Leadership, 10, 300-337. doi: 10.4236/ojl.2021.104019.