Identifying features and core competencies of public leadership through photovoice and Delphi survey

Purpose This study aims to examine features and core competencies of public leadership. This research posits that there are few clear definitions of competencies for improving public leadership representing current leadership practice in public administrations or sectors from the literature review. Design/methodology/approach This study used two different methods: photovoice for conceptualizing features of public leadership as keywords in Study 1 and Delphi survey for identifying features and competencies of public leadership based on results from photovoice in Study 2. Findings From the photovoice workshop, 84 keywords representing features of public leadership were identified. Based on these 84 keywords, 14 core competencies and their definition required for public leadership were finalized through three rounded Delphi survey: “public interest pursuit,” “fairness,” “communication,” “empathy,” “professionalism,” “ethics,” “compliance,” “conflict resolution,” “risk management,” “lead by example,” “change management,” “direction presentation,” “diversity understanding” and “trust”. Originality/value This study contributes to the theory and practice of public leadership by providing features and core competencies for human resource development, leadership development, public administration scholars and practitioners.