At the foundation of the Leadership Advantage program are the six leadership competencies. 

The competencies were determined through an iterative process of benchmarking and surveying that included input from hiring companies, the business school faculty, The Hay Group Inc., a professional consulting firm, the Mason School Foundation Board of Trustees and the school's Executive Partners organization.  Similar to those used in many foundational leadership development programs the six competencies are:

• Building Relationships
• Communicating with Impact
• Being Flexible
• Solving Problems
• Demonstrating Integrity
• Focusing on Results