**SENIOR LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT**

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  **APPLICANT NAME:**                **FEDERAL AGENCY:**

  **SUPERVISOR NAME:**               **TELEPHONE and EMAIL:**
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***Using the scale below, circle the rating in each listed competency
that best describes the applicant's leadership potential. Sign the
statement at the bottom of page 2.***

***Submit this assessment to the USDA Leadership Development Office at
Fax -- 202-690-1067.***

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  **Creativity and                            Develops new insights into situations;         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
  Innovation**                                questions conventional approaches;                                                                     
                                              encourages new ideas and innovations;                                                                  
                                              designs and implements new or cutting                                                                  
                                              edge programs/processes.                                                                               

  **External Awareness**                      Understands and keeps up-to-date on            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              local, national, and international                                                                     
                                              policies and trends that affect the                                                                    
                                              organization and shape stakeholders\'                                                                  
                                              views; is aware of the organization\'s                                                                 
                                              impact on the external environment.                                                                    

  **Flexibility**                             Is open to change and new information;         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              rapidly adapts to new information,                                                                     
                                              changing conditions, or unexpected                                                                     
                                              obstacles.                                                                                             

  **Resilience**                              Deals effectively with pressure;               **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              remains optimistic and persistent,                                                                     
                                              even under adversity. Recovers quickly                                                                 
                                              from setbacks.                                                                                         

  **Strategic Thinking**                      Formulates objectives and priorities,          **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              and implements plans consistent with                                                                   
                                              the long-term interests of the                                                                         
                                              organization in a global environment.                                                                  
                                              Capitalizes on opportunities and                                                                       
                                              manages risks.                                                                                         

  **Vision**                                  Takes a long-term view and builds a            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              shared vision with others; acts as a                                                                   
                                              catalyst for organizational change.                                                                    
                                              Influences others to translate vision                                                                  
                                              into action.                                                                                           

  **Conflict Management**                     Encourages creative tension and                **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              differences of opinions. Anticipates                                                                   
                                              and takes steps to prevent                                                                             
                                              counter-productive confrontations.                                                                     
                                              Manages and resolves conflicts and                                                                     
                                              disagreements in a constructive                                                                        
                                              manner.                                                                                                

  **Leveraging                                Fosters an inclusive workplace where           **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
  Diversity**                                 diversity and individual differences                                                                   
                                              are valued and leveraged to achieve                                                                    
                                              the vision and mission of the                                                                          
                                              organization.                                                                                          

  **Developing Others**                       Develops the ability of others to              **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              perform and contribute to the                                                                          
                                              organization by providing ongoing                                                                      
                                              feedback and by providing                                                                              
                                              opportunities to learn through formal                                                                  
                                              and informal methods.                                                                                  

  **Team Building**                           Inspires and fosters team commitment,          **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates                                                                  
                                              cooperation and motivates team members                                                                 
                                              to accomplish group goals.                                                                             

  **Accountability**                          Holds self and others accountable for          **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**   
                                              measurable high-quality, timely, and                                                                   
                                              cost-effective results. Determines                                                                     
                                              objectives, sets priorities, and                                                                       
                                              delegates work. Accepts responsibility                                                                 
                                              for mistakes. Complies with                                                                            
                                              established control systems and rules.                                                                 

  **Customer Service**    Anticipates and                                            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          meets the needs of                                                                                                         
                          both internal and                                                                                                          
                          external customers.                                                                                                        
                          Delivers                                                                                                                   
                          high-quality                                                                                                               
                          products and                                                                                                               
                          services; is                                                                                                               
                          committed to                                                                                                               
                          continuous                                                                                                                 
                          improvement.                                                                                                               

  **Decisiveness**        Makes                                                      **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          well-informed,                                                                                                             
                          effective, and                                                                                                             
                          timely decisions,                                                                                                          
                          even when data are                                                                                                         
                          limited or                                                                                                                 
                          solutions produce                                                                                                          
                          unpleasant                                                                                                                 
                          consequences;                                                                                                              
                          perceives the                                                                                                              
                          impact and                                                                                                                 
                          implications of                                                                                                            
                          decisions.                                                                                                                 

  **Entrepreneur-ship**   Positions the                                              **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          organization for                                                                                                           
                          future success by                                                                                                          
                          identifying new                                                                                                            
                          opportunities;                                                                                                             
                          builds the                                                                                                                 
                          organization by                                                                                                            
                          developing or                                                                                                              
                          improving products                                                                                                         
                          or services. Takes                                                                                                         
                          calculated risks to                                                                                                        
                          accomplish                                                                                                                 
                          organizational                                                                                                             
                          objectives.                                                                                                                

  **Problem Solving**     Identifies and                                             **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          analyzes problems;                                                                                                         
                          weighs relevance                                                                                                           
                          and accuracy of                                                                                                            
                          information;                                                                                                               
                          generates and                                                                                                              
                          evaluates                                                                                                                  
                          alternative                                                                                                                
                          solutions; makes                                                                                                           
                          recommendations.                                                                                                           

  **Technical             Understands and                                            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Credibility**           appropriately                                                                                                              
                          applies principles,                                                                                                        
                          procedures,                                                                                                                
                          requirements,                                                                                                              
                          regulations, and                                                                                                           
                          policies related to                                                                                                        
                          specialized                                                                                                                
                          expertise.                                                                                                                 

  **Financial             Understands the                                            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Management**            organization\'s                                                                                                            
                          financial                                                                                                                  
                          processes.                                                                                                                 
                          Prepares,                                                                                                                  
                          justifies, and                                                                                                             
                          administers the                                                                                                            
                          program budget.                                                                                                            
                          Oversees                                                                                                                   
                          procurement and                                                                                                            
                          contracting to                                                                                                             
                          achieve desired                                                                                                            
                          results. Monitors                                                                                                          
                          expenditures and                                                                                                           
                          uses cost-benefit                                                                                                          
                          thinking to set                                                                                                            
                          priorities.                                                                                                                

  **Human Capital         Builds and manages                                         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Management**            workforce based on                                                                                                         
                          organizational                                                                                                             
                          goals, budget                                                                                                              
                          considerations, and                                                                                                        
                          staffing needs.                                                                                                            
                          Ensures that                                                                                                               
                          employees are                                                                                                              
                          appropriately                                                                                                              
                          recruited,                                                                                                                 
                          selected,                                                                                                                  
                          appraised, and                                                                                                             
                          rewarded; takes                                                                                                            
                          action to address                                                                                                          
                          performance                                                                                                                
                          problems. Manages a                                                                                                        
                          multi-sector                                                                                                               
                          workforce and a                                                                                                            
                          variety of work                                                                                                            
                          situations.                                                                                                                

  **Technology            Keeps up-to-date on                                        **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Management**            technological                                                                                                              
                          developments. Makes                                                                                                        
                          effective use of                                                                                                           
                          technology to                                                                                                              
                          achieve results.                                                                                                           
                          Ensures access to                                                                                                          
                          and security of                                                                                                            
                          technology systems.                                                                                                        

  **Partnering**          Develops networks                                          **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          and builds                                                                                                                 
                          alliances;                                                                                                                 
                          collaborates across                                                                                                        
                          boundaries to build                                                                                                        
                          strategic                                                                                                                  
                          relationships and                                                                                                          
                          achieve common                                                                                                             
                          goals.                                                                                                                     

  **Political Savvy**     Identifies the                                             **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          internal and                                                                                                               
                          external politics                                                                                                          
                          that impact the                                                                                                            
                          work of the                                                                                                                
                          organization.                                                                                                              
                          Perceives                                                                                                                  
                          organizational and                                                                                                         
                          political reality                                                                                                          
                          and acts                                                                                                                   
                          accordingly.                                                                                                               

  **Technology            Keeps up-to-date on                                        **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Management**            technological                                                                                                              
                          developments. Makes                                                                                                        
                          effective use of                                                                                                           
                          technology to                                                                                                              
                          achieve results.                                                                                                           
                          Ensures access to                                                                                                          
                          and security of                                                                                                            
                          technology systems.                                                                                                        

  **Interpersonal         Treats others with                                         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Skills**                courtesy,                                                                                                                  
                          sensitivity, and                                                                                                           
                          respect. Considers                                                                                                         
                          and responds                                                                                                               
                          appropriately to                                                                                                           
                          the needs and                                                                                                              
                          feelings of                                                                                                                
                          different people in                                                                                                        
                          different                                                                                                                  
                          situations.                                                                                                                

  **Oral Communication**  Makes clear and                                            **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          convincing oral                                                                                                            
                          presentations.                                                                                                             
                          Listens                                                                                                                    
                          effectively;                                                                                                               
                          clarifies                                                                                                                  
                          information as                                                                                                             
                          needed.                                                                                                                    

  **Integrity/ Honesty**  Behaves in an                                              **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          honest, fair, and                                                                                                          
                          ethical manner.                                                                                                            
                          Shows consistency                                                                                                          
                          in words and                                                                                                               
                          actions. Models                                                                                                            
                          high standards of                                                                                                          
                          ethics.                                                                                                                    

  **Written               Writes in a clear,                                         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Communication**         concise, organized,                                                                                                        
                          and convincing                                                                                                             
                          manner for the                                                                                                             
                          intended audience.                                                                                                         

  **Continual Learning**  Assesses and                                               **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
                          recognizes own                                                                                                             
                          strengths and                                                                                                              
                          weaknesses; pursues                                                                                                        
                          self-development.                                                                                                          

  **Public Service        Shows a commitment                                         **1**           **2**           **3**           **4**           
  Motivation**            to serve the                                                                                                               
                          public. Ensures                                                                                                            
                          that actions meet                                                                                                          
                          public needs;                                                                                                              
                          aligns                                                                                                                     
                          organizational                                                                                                             
                          objectives and                                                                                                             
                          practices with                                                                                                             
                          public interests.                                                                                                          
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  I understand that the applicant's  **SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE and DATE:**
  federal agency (identified on      
  page 1) is responsible for payment 
  of all assessment fees, training   
  fees, and travel fees in order to  
  participate in the USDA SES CDP.   

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AD-1208 11-30-2006