Leadership is the ability to direct or influence others toward a productive end. Leadership behaviors can vary from person to situation. Use the following five-point scale to find out which style(s) of leadership you exhibit: 5 = extremely like me; 4 = somewhat like me; 3 = neither like nor unlike me; 2 = somewhat unlike me; and 1 = extremely unlike me.
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1. I ask a lot of questions to find out what others know. |
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2. I usually know or find out the facts and delegate work to group members early on. |
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3. I have high expectations and expect everyone to contribute positively. |
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4. I watch the emotional reactions of group members to be sure I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. |
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5. I think that my group members should be able to make their own decisions. |
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6. I ask questions and encourage others to participate so they will contribute their ideas. |
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7. I organize the group’s notes and agenda, paying less attention to individuals. |
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8. I figure everyone should share responsibility for making the group successful. |
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9. If people aren’t participating, I’ll reach out to find out why. |
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10. I don’t give a lot of feedback to group members; they should know what they are doing. |
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11. When a problem arises in a group, I present it and then sit back and listen to everyone’s responses. |
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12. I am comfortable explaining the overall project and then assigning others to specific tasks. |
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13. I expect everyone to have high standards for success. |
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14. I pay attention to personal problems that may affect the working environment. |
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15. I find that group members will be more successful if I just check in on them occasionally. |
Note the areas with the highest score:
A mix of high numbers (12–15) indicates a diverse leadership style; as we point out in this chapter, adapting your leadership style to suit your group’s needs is an essential leadership skill.