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Dutch public affairs professionals in the national and European arena: A smart mix of skills, attitude, and knowledge competences
Author(s) -
Figee Edward L.,
Gosselt Jordy F.,
Linders Paul C.J.,
Jong Menno D.T.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of public affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1479-1854
pISSN - 1472-3891
DOI - 10.1002/pa.1666
Subject(s) - competence (human resources) , politics , public relations , psychology , flexibility (engineering) , political science , pedagogy , medical education , social psychology , management , medicine , law , economics
Although the profession of public affairs (PA) is increasingly important for organizations, relatively little is known about the range of competences PA professionals need. This article presents a qualitative study among 41 experienced Dutch PA professionals and practitioners, who were interviewed about the competences needed in regional and local PA. The results show that a combination of skills‐related, attitudinal, and knowledge‐related competences is needed. Skills‐related competences involve two broad domains: politics and communication. Attitudinal competences comprise the almost paradoxical qualities of authentic professionalism and flexibility. Knowledge‐related competences comprise political and communicative knowledge. These competences are used in a delicate process of swapping, depending on the situation of the very moment and the PA file at hand. Every competence may be of decisive importance. The PA professional is a silent diplomat.