In today’s complex and chaotic world effective leaders are increasingly at a premium. Research
indicates that self-understanding and the understanding of others are an important part of the
successful leader’s stock in trade. Leaders appear to have both a capacity for leadership (founded
in genetics and environmental experience) and a style of leadership (the manner in which their
capacity is displayed).
Many researchers have also related leadership style to personality characteristics. In
particular a great amount of research has been conducted linking leadership with the personality
framework originally developed by Carl Jung. Jung’s seminal work on personality types has been
further refined by more contemporary researchers, particularly the work of Katherine and Isabel
Briggs.
The intent of this instrument is to provide those in or aspiring to leadership roles a
quick, easy to understand, and well-founded assessment of their particular style of leadership. The
results are displayed visually and allow for easy inspection and verification by others if desired.
The leader using the assay is also able to make a comparison between his or her current perception
of leadership style with one that they may ideally prefer.
The title of this instrument ties the ideas of leadership, personality, and measurement
together. In the world of precious metals, an assay is the process used for finding out the amount
of gold, silver or other valuable metal in an ore or alloy.
Instructions
Choose the same situational frame of reference (i.e. work, home, school, or volunteer setting) to
answer all of the questions that refer to an organization.
Complete each of the following questions by distributing ten points across the possible answer
choices. You may assign all ten points to one answer or divide them (whole numbers only) across the
two, three, or four lettered possibilities.
Example
The best leaders tend to be
_2_ a. Fearless
_0_ b. Cautious
_5_ c. Self-confident
_3_ d. Cooperative
Question 1
The most critical organizational issue facing leaders today is in the area of
___ a. Disruptive technology
___ b. Diminished follower morale
___ c. Questionable ethics
___ d. Declining worker competence
Finished!
Congratulations you've finished the Leaderhip Personality Assay!
Now let's take a look at the different styles of leadership and your results.
Implementer
Focused mainly on doing what’s right, Implementer-leaders seek stability in leadership relationships. They tend to be somewhat respectful and conservative in their outlook. Their typical orientation is that of the responsible and stable executive. In their communications with others facts are emphasized. Implementers are primarily motivated by their sense of duty and obligation; they also highly value past traditions and practices.
Tactician
This style is concerned with the practical aspects of leadership. In understanding the world Tacticians tend to rely heavily on the evidence provided by their senses. Excelling at problem solving, Tactician-type leaders also like to use the lessons learned from their own experience to influence current situations. Tacticians emphasize what works and employ their energy in making things happen. Centered in the present, the Tactician leader is concerned with becoming a technical master of his or her craft.
Strategist
Self-assured and competent leaders, Strategists tend to be attracted to creating and developing efficient organizational systems. They are likely to be concerned about the making the best use of available technology in order to be perceived as working wonders for their organizations. Although highly intuitive and visionary, their view of the world tends to be filtered through a rational, conceptual lens. Strategists also appear to be primarily motivated by their continuous thirst for new knowledge.
Diplomat
Diplomats are often viewed as enthusiastic, accepting and responsive leaders. Their principal source of motivation appears to be a personal quest for self-realization. Future focused, Diplomats tend to rely on their intuition and emotions to understand the world. Characteristically perceived as wise and trustworthy, Diplomats prefer to do what feels good to them. Idealists, Diplomats see their primary leadership role as that of a catalyst.graphed results will go here
* Adapted from Portraits of Temperaments by David Keirsey (Prometheus Nemises, 1998)>
Finding Patterns
Begin by looking at the pattern of your scores
- Do they intuitively make sense to you? For example, is there one style that clearly stands out or is your style more of a blend?
- In comparing your line graph for your leadership ideal with that of your actual style, are they similar or different?
- What occurs to you as you make this ideal vs. actual comparison?
- What insights into your style occur to you as you reflect on the whole graphic plot?
Analysis of Scores
You might conclude your interpretation by looking at the pattern of individual answers on your answer sheet.
- Are there a small number of questions that appear to have had a disproportionate effect in determining your style?
- What answers to the questions might you give differently now that you know the basic framework for the construction of the instrument?
- As you took the instrument, how did your prevailing mindset influence your answers?
- Under pressure, which style do you tend to rely on? Is this the same as your moat preferred style?