Leader Manager (2) Alignment

This is the second in a four-part series of instruments that relate to the distinctions between leaders and managers.  Each of the four instruments deal with a distinct component of leadership, as listed below:

  1. Direction-providing short and long-term vision for the organization
  2. Alignment-helping others to understand and embrace the direction
  3. Achievement-helping others to accomplish the direction
  4. Personal qualities-the innate characteristics of a leader or manager

This second instrument deals with the issue of alignment.  Alignment involves helping the people to understand and embrace the direction.

Please assess yourself regarding the following characteristics.  There are three possible answers for every question.  The far right and left options define a clear position whereas the middle option defines a balance between the two positions.  If both answers describe you equally well, then choose the middle option.



1
When working with others, I tend to...
Pursue follower commitment Seek follower compliance
2
I am usually...
Idea-centered Plan-centered
3
I am more concerned about...
Building broad ownership of the vision Getting the right people in the right places
4
Which statement describes you best?
I embrace the big picture I focus on the details
5
When considering the culture of my organization, I prefer to...
Create vision and transform culture Act within the established culture
6
I like to...
Eliminate boundaries Create boundaries
7
It is easier for me to...
Think across multiple departments Strengthen within one department
8
When the budget is a concern, I...
Pursue creative acquisition of resources Allow action to be limited by available resources
9
My work is best described as...
Creating shared values and culture Organizing and delegating
10
I prefer to...
Innovate for the entire organization Administer subsystems within the organization
11
I spend more of my time and energy...
Promoting opportunities for growth Setting and conveying standards of performance
12
I tend to think about other people in terms of their...
Growth and potential Fit with structures and procedures
13
I prefer to start with the...
Person and then develop a broad role Specific task and the best person for the job
14
I like to develop...
Potential in people Policies and Procedures
15
I enjoy creating...
An atmosphere of openness and teamwork Levels and boundaries within a hierarchy


All content © 1998-2012, Malcolm Webber, Ph.D., LeaderSource SGA, Inc. All rights reserved