- the ability to develop a national agenda for a union
- the ability to organise internally within the union - through caucusing and networking - to win the union to this agenda
- the ability to negotiate, most obviously with employers but also with other unions and the government
- the skills to communicate in the forums of mass meetings, committees and one-to-ones
- the skills to inspire and motivate members
- the skills to manage the personnel and finances of the organisation
- the ability to know how far to push in a dispute as well as to know when to settle
Gall points out that a combination of education, training and practical experience is required to develop these all round skills. Over the past decade UNISON and the TUC have established a programme of leadership training for union activists and officials:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/129479
