LEADERSHIP ORIENTATIONS SCORING

LEADERSHIP ORIENTATIONS SCORING^[1]
Section I

The Leadership Orientations instrument is keyed to four different conceptions of organizations and of the task of organizational leadership.

Plot each of your scores on the appropriate axis of the chart below: ST for Structural, HR for Human Resource, PL for Political, and SY for Symbolic. Then read the brief description of each of these orientations toward leadership and organizations.

Section I:

This section contains rating scales, and the items are in a consistent frame sequence: structural (items 1,5,9,13,17,21,25,29), human resource (items 2, 6, etc.), political (items 3, 7,...), symbolic(items 4, 8...).

There are also sub-scales within each frame, again in a consistent sequence: analytic (items 1, 9, 17, 25), supportive (2, 10, 18, 26), powerful (items 3, 11,19,27), inspirational (4,12,20,28), organized (5,13,21,29), participative(6,14,22,30), adroit(7,15,23,31), charismatic (8,16,24,32). In our own research, we have primarily used the 8-item frame measures. We’ve primarily used the 4-item sub-scales for management development rather than research applications.

1. Structural leaders emphasize rationality, analysis, logic, facts and data. They are likely to believe strongly in the importance of clear structure and well-developed management systems. A good leader is someone who thinks clearly, makes the right decisions, has good analytic skills, and can design structures and systems that get the job done.

2. Human resource leaders emphasize the importance of people. They endorse the view that the central task of management is to develop a good fit between people and organizations. They believe in the importance of coaching, participation, motivation, teamwork and good interpersonal relations. A good leader is a facilitator and participative manager who supports and empowers others.

3. Political leaders believe that managers and leaders live in a world of conflict and scarce resources. The central task of management is to mobilize the resources needed to advocate and fight for the unit's or the organization's goals and objectives. Political leaders emphasize the importance of building a power base: allies, networks, coalitions. A good leader is an advocate and negotiator who understands politics and is comfortable with conflict.

4. Symbolic leaders believe that the essential task of management is to provide vision and inspiration. They rely on personal charisma and a flair for drama to get people excited and committed to the organizational mission. A good leader is a prophet and visionary, who uses symbols, tells stories and frames experience in ways that give people hope and meaning.