Interpersonal Leadership Competencies of Extension Agents in Florida

Abstract

Extension’s ability to purposively develop the capacity of its agents to effectively work with and lead people is limited by a lack of data that identifies for which competencies agents need training. Interpersonal leadership competencies are widely recognized as important for Extension professionals and the literature indicates they are linked with job satisfaction, motivation, and performance. The Borich method was used to identify priority training needs for Extension agents in Florida within the interpersonal leadership domain. A Principal Component Analysis revealed the interpersonal leadership competencies could be operationalized into two latent constructs, conflict management and group leadership. Competencies for which training is most needed were mostly part of the conflict management construct. The results can be used to intentionally design professional development programs, improve the state’s competency model, and inform future research related to conflict in Extension.