Effective Leadership: A 22 Question Leadership Test

By Alex Tesla


"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." John Wood

There is a big difference between just being a team leader, and leading so that individuals will voluntarily want to follow you. The real leadership test is influence. For instance, what if you were employed with a volunteer organization, and your employees' livelihoods, incentives and benefits were not based on whether or not they did what you asked? Would they still do as you say? Do you think they admire, respect and believe in you as a role model, mentor and team leader?

Leadership Test: Below are 22 questions to ask yourself regarding how you are performing as a leader. Do you demonstrate honesty, credibility and competence? You might also want to pass this leadership assessment on to your team. How well are they performing compared with other team members? Consider using this leadership test in performance evaluations and for discussions in meetings.

1. As a group leader, how do I show that I am honest? Do I do what I say I am going to do?

2. Do I make competence, character and credibility priorities? How?

3. Do I listen properly to others with an open mind even when I may argue?

4. How do I demonstrate honest yet tactful communication with team members?

5. Do I demonstrate good people skills, or effective leadership skills with my team?

6. How am I thoughtful and considerate of others in the division?

7. How do I demonstrate my vision and the organization's vision in a way that others obviously can understand?

8. Do workers see how this vision applies to them and also to the big image?

9. Do I understand my personal goals and how they tie in with organizational goals?

10. Are the business objectives and my individual goals specific, measurable and in composing?

11. How do I take responsibility for my own task?

12. Am I proactive in taking on or searching for additional responsibility?

13. How do I tactfully recommend better methods of doing issues?

14. How do I offer ideas for improvement without putting others on the defensive?

15. Do I show up on time for work and begin work immediately in a way that contributes to the team?

16. Am I alert and "mentally" present for work?

17. How do I work to promote better well-being with my team and other departments?

18. How would I grade the general quality of my work?

19. Do I finish assignments promptly and without being negative?

20. How do I put forth my best in producing a product or service in which others can take delight?

21. Have I obtained leadership training in the area of conflict resolution?

22. Am I open to leadership training in the areas of personal and professional improvement? If I have received this sort of training, am I using the skills learned?

Go back and read again the first 5 questions of this leadership test. As a team leader or manager, how are you showing character, honesty, and credibility? I'vefound that in conducting leadership training globally, these are key traits employees want to see for them to voluntarily Want to follow their leader. Were you able to answer "yes" to most of the questions? How would other team leaders in your organization score?

Keep in mind, if people recognize they could rely on you, they will follow you.

"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy." General H. Norman Schwarzkopf




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