bm_model.html

Leadership Questioner

Instructions

Objective: To determine the degree that a person likes working with tasks and other people.

Time: 45 Minutes

Instructions:

Have the learners complete the 18 items in the questioner section.
Next, have them transfer their answers to the two respective columns provided in the scoring section. Total the score in each column and multiply each total by 0.2. For example, in the first column (People), if the learner answered 5, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 5, 4, 3 then his or her final score is = 33 X 0.2 = 6.6.
The total score for the fist column (people) is plotted on vertical axis in the matrix section, while the total score for the second column (Task) is plotted on the horizontal axis. For a sample, see Example. Finally, have the learners intersect the lines to see in what leadership dimension they normally operate out of:
- Authoritarian
- Impoverished
- Team Leader
- Country Club

Questioner

Below is a list of statements about leadership behavior. Read each one carefully, then, using the following scale, decide the extent to which it actually applies to you. For best results, answer as truthfully as possible.

never sometimes always

0 1 2 3 4 5

_______ I encourage my team to participate when it comes decision making time and I try to implement their ideas and suggestions.

_______ Nothing is more important than accomplishing a goal or task.

_______ I closely monitor the schedule to ensure a task or project will be completed in time.

_______ I enjoy coaching people on new tasks and procedures.

_______ The more challenging a task is, the more I enjoy it.

_______ I encourage my employees to be creative about their job.

_______ When seeing a complex task through to completion, I ensure that every detail is accounted for.

_______ I find it easy to carry out several complicated tasks at the same time.

_______ I enjoy reading articles, books, and journals about training, leadership, and psychology; and then putting what I have read into action.

_______ When correcting mistakes, I do not worry about jeopardizing relationships.

_______ I manage my time very efficiently.

_______ I enjoy explaining the intricacies and details of a complex task or project to my employees.

_______ Breaking large projects into small manageable tasks is second nature to me.

_______ Nothing is more important than building a great team.

_______ I enjoy analyzing problems.

_______ I honor other people's boundaries.

_______ Counseling my employees to improve their performance or behavior is second nature to me.

_______ I enjoy reading articles, books, and trade journals about my profession; and then implementing the new procedures I have learned.

Scoring Section
After completing the questioner, transfer your answers to the spaces below:

People

Question

1.______

4.______

6.______

9.______

10.______

12.______

14.______

16.______

17.______

TOTAL ________

X 0.2 = ________

(multiple the Total by 0.2 to get your final score)

Task

Question

2.______

3.______

5.______

7.______

8.______

11.______

13.______

15.______

18.______

TOTAL ________

X 0.2 ________

(multiple the Total by 0.2 to get your final score)

Matrix Section

Plot your final scores on the graph below by drawing a horizontal line from the approximate people score (vertical axis) to the right of the matrix, and drawing a vertical line from the approximate task score on the horizontal axis to the top of the matrix. Then, draw two lines from each dot until they intersect. The area of intersection is the leadership dimension that you operate out of.

Example

The above sample shows score of 4 in the people section and a score of 6 in the task section. The quad where the two lines intersect is the leadership style, in this case -- Authoritarian section.

The Results
This chart will give you an idea of your leadership style. But, like any other instrument that attempts to profile a person, you have to take in other factors, such as, how does your manager and employees rate you as a leader, do you get your job done, do you take care of your employees, are you GROWING your organization, etc.
You should review the statements in the survey and reflect on the low scores by asking yourself, "If I scored higher in that area, would I be a more effective leader?" And if the answer is yes, then it should become a personal action item.

Notes

People and Mission

Some may ask, "In order to get a perfect score I would have to max out statements 2 (Nothing is more important than accomplishing a goal or task) and 14 (Nothing is more important than building a great team), but this would be a paradox."

One of the mottos of the U.S. Army is "People and mission first." That is, nothing is more important than accomplishing the mission and nothing is more important than looking out for the welfare of the people. A good leader can do both!

Relationships With Others

For statement 10 - "When correcting mistakes, I do not worry about jeopardizing relationships," some people might believe that a "people-person" would put a low score to this question. They might believe that a "people-oriented" person would not want to jeopardize a relationship.

But, if a leader really cared about the person, would the relationship (being friends) be more important or would guiding the person on to the correct behavior be more important? Lets put it in a "leader-teacher" relationship - If you did not correct your learner's mistakes, would that make you a more "people" teacher? Probably not. Good leaders do what it takes to build and develop the people around them. The "relationship" is not what makes them tick...guiding others onto greatness is what a "people" leader is all about.

This question helps to separate the "country club leaders" who want to be friends with everyone; the "impoverish leaders" who are afraid they might make waves; and the real "people leaders" who are more concerned with coaching others so that they benefit the team. That is, if the leader lets one of her peers continue with the incorrect behavior, does this help or hinder the other members of the team? It is best not to picture a "people" leader as a friend, but as a person who is concerned with the growth and welfare of others.

Instead of presenting a manager with a dilemma of choosing one or the other alternative, it shows how a leader can simultaneously maximize both production oriented methods and those that are people orientated.

Self Assessment

Can people assess themselves? For studies, see Learner and Self Ratings.

A perfect score is a nine in both categories of People and Tasks. If you gave yourself a perfect score or close to it, you are being too easy on yourself -- you cannot learn if you to not take a Critical Reflection of yourself.

Modeling

For more information on constructing models of this nature, see Modeling.

Reliability and Validity

Since this survey is a training tool, it has not been formally checked for reliability or validity. However, since I have had a lot of feedback from various training classes, other trainers, and various sources, I feel that it is fairly accurate.

If I did a formal reliability and validity analysis, I would probably have to charge for it. Please feel free to send me your feedback (donclark@nwlink.com).

Created January 27, 1998. Last update - February 24, 2002.
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