Leadership Style Survey

This is an informal survey, designed to determine how you usually act in everyday related situations. The
idea is to get a clear description of how you see yourself. Circle A or B in each pair of statements below,
which shows the one that MOST, describes you.

1. A} I actively seek out new people with whom I can establish relationships.
B) I usually prefer to remain within my trusted circle of relationships.

2. A) I usually act deliberately.

B) I usually react quickly.

3. A) I'm careful where I spend my time.

B) I'm usually open to other people's use of my time.

4. A) I usually introduce myself at social gatherings.

B) I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gatherings.

5. A} I usually focus my conversations on the interests and relationships of the people involved.
B) I usually focus my conversations on the task, facts or topic at hand.

6. A) I'm usually diffident, and I can be patient with a slow pace.

B) I'm usually assertive, and at times I can be impatient with a slow pace.

7. A) I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence . .

B) I usually make decisions based on feelings, experiences or relationships .

8. A) I contribute frequently to group conversations.

B} I contribute infrequently to group conversations .

9. A) I prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible.
B) I usually prefer to work independently or dictate how others are involved.

10. A) I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly.

B) I usually make direct statements or directly expressed opinions.

11. A) I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts, or results.

B) I usually focus primarily on persons, interactions, and feelings.

12. A} I often use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonations to emphasize points.
B) I rarely use gestures, facial expressions, and voice intonations to emphasize points

13. A) I usually embrace others' points of view.

B) I usually interpret others through my own point of view.

14. A) I usually respond to risk and change cautiously.

B) I usually respond to risk and change dynamically.

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lS. A) I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private .
B) I find it natural and easy t o share and discuss my feelings with others .

16. A) I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations.

B) I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships .

17. A) I' m usually responsive to others' agendas, interests, and concerns.

B) I' m usually focus on my own agendas, interests and concerns.

18. A) I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly.

B) I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly.

Use the Answer Sheet below to record whether you choose A or B for each question . Circle your answer
to each question.

ANSWER SHEET
0 G D
lA lB 2B 2A
3B 3A 4A 4B
SA SB 6B 6A
7B 7A 8A 8B
9A 9B lOB lOA
llB llA 12A 12B
13A 13B 14B 14A
lSB lSA 16A 16B
17A 17B 18B 18A

TOTALS

Total the numbers of items circled in each column and write it on the spaces above . Now, compare the
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0 column with the "G" column and circle the letter that has the highest total - 0 or G. Then compare
the " D" column with the "I" column and circle the letter that has the highest total - Dor I

Results:

If you circled the G and D, you tend toward being If you circled the 0 and I, you' re predominantly a
a Director. Relator.

If you circled the 0 and D, you show many If you circled the G and I, you have lots ofThinker
qualities of a Socializer. characteristics.

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Analysis of Your Leadership Style
Open relationships

Relators are the teddy bears of TheRelator The Socializer The friendly, enthusiastic
the human zoo. Rather • Warmandfriendly • Relationships Socializers are fast-paced people
easygoing, people-oriented, and • Slow and easy important who thrive on admiration,
slow-paced, Relators tend to • Shares feelings • Fast-paced acknowledgment, and applause.
• Good listener • Strong feelings of
drag their feet when it comes to They love to talk, and while
• Cooperative personal worth
change, preferring routine ways • Enthusiastic and strong on fresh concepts, they're
of doing things persuasive usually weak on execution
• Not afraid of risks

Thinkers are results-oriented Directors are forceful, take-

problem solvers. They seek charge people. Their impatience-
results in a quiet, low-key way. and sometimes their insensitivity-
Thinkers are analytical, may make you wince. Driven by
persistent, independent, and an inner need to get results,
well organized, but often seen they're more concerned with
as aloof, picky, and critical. outcomes than egos.
Reserved relationships

Relator
When Talking with Others: Asks more questions, listens, and reserves his /her opinions, less verbal
communication.
Verbal Identifiers: Warm less forceful talk, lower volume, and slower speech .
Visual Identifiers: Intermittent eye contact, gentle handshake, slower movements, patient.
Famous Relators: Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Jimmy Stewart, Mr. Rogers, Nelson Mandela

Socializer
When Talking with Others: Talks a lot, tells stories, shares feelings and opinions openly, and informal.
Verbal Identifiers: Loud, fast voice with lots of voice inflection, dramatic.
Visual Identifiers: Animated, spontaneous, hand and body movement, and spontaneous.
Famous Socializers: Bill Clinton, Will Smith, Robin Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson.

Thinker
When Talking with Others: Formal and proper, focused with facts, doesn't share feelings.
Verbal Identifiers: Less vocal variety, very steady with lower volume and speed.
Visual Identifiers: Less facial expressions and gestures, does not initiate contact.
Famous Thinkers: Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, JK Rowling, Tiger Woods, Thomas Edison.

Director
When Talking with Others: Tells more than asks, not a great listener, abrupt and to the point.
Verbal Identifiers: More vocal variety and forceful tone with high volume and speed.
Visual Identifiers: Steady eye contact, firm handshake, body gestures and impatient.
Famous Directors: Hilary Clinton, Michael Jordan, General George Patton, Margaret Thatcher.

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Write down some thoughts on leadership styles in general, and your leadership style in particular. What was one new
thing you learned about yourself from this exercise?

Understanding Leadership Styles

Now that you have a better understanding of the types of leadership styles, think back to the leader who you selected in
the previous exercise. From what you have learned, consider the following:

What was their leadership style?

Why was it effective with you?

Now, think about your Club, and identify some key leaders or influencers in your Club. What is their
leadership/communication style? When is it most effective? Least effective?

Name Style Most Effective Least Effective

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Adapting Your Leadership Style
Now consider these leadership styles against your own and think about how you, as Club President will communicate with
these key people in your Club. Understanding them and having them support your efforts is critical. Here's a few tips for
communicating with the various styles

RELATOR SOCIALIZER
To connect most effectively with a Relator: To connect most effectively with Socializer:
• Use less intense eye contact • Make direct eye contact
• Speak in a moderate pace with a softer voice and • Speak in an energetic and fast paced manner
moderate tone • Support your ideas with the opinions of people they respect
• Seek their opinions and ideas, then listen • Confirm any agreements made; follow up with a brief "to
• Try not to counter their ideas with logical arguments do" list so they remember what they agreed to do
• Allow time for them to make a decision to reduce • Allow some socializing time in meetings
pressure • Talk about experiences, people, opinions and facts
• Encourage them to express their concerns without • Ask about their "gut" feel
getting upset with them
• Maintain balance between fun and achieving results
• Aim for mutual agreement on work goals and completion
dates
THINKER DIRECTOR
To connect most effectively with a Thinker: To connect most effectively with a Director:
• Be more formal in your speech and manner • Get to the point quickly in a clear and succinct manner
• Don't speak in a loud or fast paced voice • Speak in a fast pace
• Present the pros and cons of an idea along with options • Be specific and don't over-explain or repeat yourself
• Follow up in writing • Make direct eye contact
• Be punctual • Minimize small talk
• Present information in an organized, planned and • Be organized and well prepared
comprehensive manner • Focus on results to be achieved
• Accept that plans requiring risk-taking options are • Be punctual and stick to guidelines
generally not welcomed

Leadership Tip: The most important thing to remember about "communication styles is that the differences are real and largely
unconscious. Railing against someone else's communication style or expecting everyone to interact in your preferred style ~eldom
leads to a positive outcome. Highly effective communicators learn to recognize and adapt to different communication styles; both
when they're receiving and interpreting information from others and when they share information with others.