Question - Interpret the Self-Insights

Instructions: This questionnaire asks you to describe yourself as a leader. For each of the following items, give the number 4 to the phrase that best describes you, 3 to the item that is next best, and on down to 1 for the item that is least like you.

1.My strongest skills are:

_____3____a. Analytical skills

_____4____b. Interpersonal skills

_____1____c. Political skills

_____1____d. Flair for drama

2.The best way to describe me is:

____4_____a. technical expert

____3_____b. good listener

____4_____c. Skilled negotiator

____4_____d. Inspirational leader

3.What has helped me the most to be successful is my ability to:

____3_____. a Make good decisions.

____4_____. b Coach and develop people.

____4_____.c Build strong alliances and a power base.

____3_____. d Inspire and excite others.

4.What people are most likely to notice about me is my:

____3_____a. Attention to detail

____4_____b. Concern for people

____3_____c. Ability to succeed in the face of conflict and opposition.

____4_____d. Charisma

5.My most important leadership trait is:

_____3____a. Clear, logical thinking

____4_____b. Caring and support for others

____1_____c. Toughness and aggressiveness

____3_____d. Imagination and creativity

6.I am best described as:

____3_____a. An analyst

____4____b_. A humanist

____1_____.c A politician

____3_____d. A visionary

Scoring and Interpretation

Compute your scores as follows:

Structural = 1a + 2a + 3a + 4a + 5a + 6a =19

Human Resource = 1b + 2b + 3b + 4b + 5b + 6b = 23

Political = 1c + 2c + 3c + 4c + 5c + 6c = 14

Symbolic = 1d + 2d + 3d + 4d + 5d + 6d =18

Your answers reveal your preference for four distinct leader orientations or frames of reference. The higher your score, the greater your preference. A low score may mean a blind spot. "Structural" means to view the organization as a machine that operates with efficiency to be successful. "Human Resource" means to view the organization primarily as people and to treat the family well to succeed. "Political" means to view the organization as a competition for resources and the need to build alliances to succeed. "Symbolic" means to view the organization as a system of shared meaning and values and to succeed by shaping the culture.

Do you view politics in a positive or negative light? Most new leaders succeed first by using either or both structural or people orientations. New leaders often have a blind spot about politics. As managers move up the hierarchy, they learn to be more political, or they miss out on key decisions. The symbolic view usually comes last in a leader's development. Compare your scores to those of other students and see which orientations are more widely held.