Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Benefits of diversity:
· wider range of potential leaders
· cultural enrichment
· retention of broad stakeholder interest and support
· improved response to stakeholders
· greater range of available ideas and strategies
· stronger community and public awareness and involvement.

Collaborative relationships:
· joint policy statements
· joint promotion of policies, objectives or services
· joint ventures
· partnerships
· franchising.

Agreements:
· resource management strategies
· financial arrangements
· pricing, marketing and export development agreements and alliances
· industry or organisational plans
· government and public relations strategies
· community consultation strategies
· research and development needs and priorities
· partnership agreements
· workplace agreements.

Individual differences:
· culture, race, religion, ethnicity and language
· age, gender, sexual preference and marital status
· political views
· socio-economic status
· physical and intellectual capability
· educational background, thinking and learning styles
· expertise, life and work experience and working styles
· interpersonal interactions
· personality types.

Ethical values:
· respect for the law and natural justice
· integrity, objectivity and impartiality
· honesty, openness, trustworthiness and confidentiality
· responsibility, accountability and corporate governance
· diligence
· respect for individual differences
· probity
· economy and efficiency
· procedural fairness.

Cultural diversity:
· respect for and accommodation of culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework
· recognition of the linguistic and cultural assets within the population
· recognition and accommodation of cultural diversity and culture-based belief systems.

Learning opportunities:
· coaching or mentoring
· shadowing
· job, role, and task rotation
· participation at industry forums and workshops
· participation in fisheries management committee meetings
· participation in working groups attached to committees
· leadership programs
· resource management courses
· tertiary and technical training
· performance appraisal interviews.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· government legislation, public policy and programs and budget processes
· political context such as parties, platforms and processes
· industry organisations and formal and informal networks
· other stakeholder organisations, including environmental and community organisations
· benefits of diversity to industry and general community
· learning processes and skill development strategies
· performance appraisal and monitoring.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· liaising with key people in community, peak bodies, industry forums and government
· consulting and encouraging involvement and commitment with the industry
· encouraging an exchange of views with a broad cross section of people without attributing blame when things go wrong
· taking the time to listen to others and establish rapport
· working to understand and harness the personality, motivation and diverse qualities of others
· respecting and valuing individual differences
· seeking out, identifying, and encouraging people with potential
· taking time to support others to develop their skills and overcome obstacles
· using communication and greeting protocols in languages other than English.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· develop and maintain a wide range of useful contacts and networks
· establish collaborative relationships
· consult, listen actively and be open to a wide range of views
· provide efficient and responsive feedback to stakeholders and others
· respect and harnesses individuality and diversity to benefit the industry
· encourage and support others as part of a succession plan.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed with any other leadership units.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted in the workplace and in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· interview and oral questioning
· role plays and response to scenarios
· feedback from stakeholders about the candidate's ability to establish and maintain effective networks
· feedback from colleagues about the candidate's respect for diversity, ethical behaviour and support of emerging leaders.

Resources required for assessment
· No recommendations.

This competency in practice
Industry representatives have provided storylines to illustrate the practical application of each unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting.

'An unlikely but productive alliance'
One well known industry leader believes that forming key relationships with environmental groups is critical to the future of the seafood industry.

His approach is to work on those issues where the environmental and industry groups have the same aims. For example, most people agree that improving water quality and protecting waterways and marine habitats is a good thing!

He has encouraged industry and environmental groups to work together by writing joint letters and allocating money to joint campaigns. "You can sustain good relations by continuing to focus on common concerns." The groups are developing trust and honesty by getting runs on the board prior to addressing harder issues that impact more directly on the seafood industry.

He believes that the industry has to link up with the "greenies" because there is a lot of common ground and because they have much better lobbying power. They have a better understanding of politics and are better regarded by the public. By working together it is easier to provide economic legitimacy for environmental arguments. "You have to produce the goods though -treating people like fools doesn't help".

Similar alliances have been very successful overseas. For example, the salmon industry and environmental groups in California have been successful in jointly preventing the clear felling of timber in the catchment areas of spawning streams.

This leader's message is simple. "To get anywhere, you have to develop shared positions with key people outside the industry and with people who at first glance might appear to be your natural enemy".

'A plane crash provides the urgency to develop new networks'
When a passenger plane crashed into the sea near a prawn fishing fleet the boats ceased fishing and started searching for survivors. They reached the search area well in advance of any shore based emergency services. Sadly, there were no survivors and the search was futile.

The skippers realised later that if one of their crew was lost overboard, their own fishing fleet would provide the best chance of a quick rescue. They realised that they needed an emergency plan and risk minimisation strategy but did not know where to start.

One young skipper took on the task. He gained funding and support from the state Prawn Association and made contact with the local police, water police, RAAF, RAN, Australian Fisheries Academy and insurers. He collated all the available information and prepared a draft plan for presentation to the Association.

This potential leader took advantage of an opportunity to establish a new network that enhances the capability of local emergency services, enhances the image of the industry within the state and provides new contacts with a range of services and agencies.