Your Leadership Potential Instructions: Questions 1-6 below are about you right now. 10. I would scout for new product or Questions 7-14 are about how you would like to be if you service opportunities. were the head of a major department at a corporation. 11. I would give credit to people who Answer Mostly False or Mostly True to indicate whether the do their jobs well item describes you accurately or whether you would strive 12. I would promote unconventional to perform each activity as a department head. beliefs and values. Mostly Mostly 13. I would establish procedures to help the department operate smoothly. Now False True 14. I would verbalize the higher values 1. When I have a number of tasks or that I and the organization stand homework assignments to do, I set for. priorities and organize the work to meet the deadlines. Scoring and Interpretation 2. When I am involved in a serious disagreement, I hang in there and Count the number of Mostly True answers to even-numbered talk it out until it is completely questions .. Count the number of Mostly True answers to resolved. odd-numbered questions . Compare the two scores. 3. I would rather sit in front of my The even-numbered items represent behaviors and computer than spend a lot of time activities typical of leadership. Leaders are personally with people. involved in shaping ideas values, vision, and change. They 4. I reach out to indude other people often use an intuitive approach to develop fresh ideas and in activities or when there are seek new directions for the department or organization. The discussions. odd-numbered items are considered more traditional man- 5. I know my long-term vision for agement activities. Managers respond to organizational career, family, and other activities. problems in an impersonal way, make rational decisions, and 6. When solving problems, I prefer work for stability and efficiency. analyzing things myself to working If you answered yes to more even-numbered than odd- through them with a group of numbered items, you may have potential leadership qual- people. ities. If you answered yes to more odd-numbered items, you may have management qualities. Management qualities are an important foundation for new leaders because the orga- Mostly Mostly nization first has to operate efficiently. Then leadership qual- Head of Major Department False True ities can enhance performance. Both sets of qualities can be developed or improved with awareness and experience. 7. I would help subordinates clarify goals and how to reach them. Sources Based on John P. Kotter, Leading Change Boston, MA: Harvard 8. I would give people a sense of long- Business School Press, 19%) p. 26, Joseph C. Rost, Leadership for the term mission and higher purpose. Twentyfirst Century [Westport CT: Pranger, 1993), p. 149, and Brian Dumaine, "The New Non-Manager Managers," Fortune |February 22, 9. I would make sure jobs get out 19931 pp. 80-84. on time