Discover Your Leadership Style

Introduction

Understanding your natural leadership tendencies can help you leverage your strengths and identify areas for growth. This quiz will help you discover your dominant leadership style and provide insights on how to become a more effective leader.

Instructions

For each question, select the option that best reflects how you would typically think, feel, or act in a leadership situation. Choose the response that represents your natural tendencies, not what you think is the “right” answer.

The Quiz

1. When making an important decision, you typically:

• A) Gather input from your team but ultimately make the decision yourself based on what’s best for the organization
• B) Bring the team together to discuss and reach a consensus that everyone can support
• C) Make decisions quickly and confidently based on your vision and experience
• D) Ask team members what they think and adapt your approach based on their needs and the situation

2. Your approach to team development focuses most on:

• A) Setting challenging goals and providing resources for team members to achieve excellence
• B) Creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best
• C) Demonstrating high standards through your own actions and expecting others to follow suit
• D) Understanding each team member’s unique strengths and adapting your approach accordingly

3. When conflict arises within your team:

• A) You address it directly, focusing on how to resolve it in alignment with organizational goals
• B) You facilitate a conversation where all perspectives are heard and the team works toward resolution together
• C) You take decisive action to resolve the issue and move forward with the mission
• D) You consider each person’s perspective and the specific context before determining how to proceed

4. When communicating your vision, you prefer to:

• A) Share how the vision connects to organizational growth and individual development opportunities
• B) Engage team members in shaping the vision so everyone feels ownership
• C) Paint a compelling picture of the future and inspire others to follow
• D) Adjust your communication style based on what will resonate with different team members

5. You feel most successful as a leader when:

• A) Your team is achieving excellent results while developing their skills and capabilities
• B) Team members are collaborating effectively and feel personally fulfilled by their work
• C) Your bold vision is being executed and driving significant change
• D) You’ve successfully adapted your approach to address changing circumstances and needs

6. When a team member is struggling with performance:

• A) You provide clear feedback, resources, and a development plan tied to organizational needs
• B) You ask questions to understand their challenges and collaborate on solutions
• C) You set clear expectations and consequences for improvement
• D) You consider their individual circumstances and adapt your approach accordingly

7. Your greatest strength as a leader is:

• A) Building effective systems and strategies that develop people while achieving results
• B) Creating an inclusive environment where everyone contributes their best
• C) Providing clear direction and challenging the status quo
• D) Reading situations accurately and knowing when to use different leadership approaches

8. During major change initiatives, you focus most on:

• A) Ensuring everyone understands how the change connects to organizational goals and their personal growth
• B) Making sure everyone’s concerns are heard and addressed throughout the process
• C) Articulating why the change is necessary and rallying people behind the new direction
• D) Observing how different people respond to change and adjusting your approach accordingly

9. When it comes to innovation, you typically:

• A) Encourage calculated risks and new approaches that align with organizational goals
• B) Create a safe space for everyone to contribute ideas and build on each other’s thinking
• C) Set a bold direction that challenges conventional thinking
• D) Vary your approach to innovation based on the specific challenge and team dynamics

10. Your leadership philosophy is best described as:

• A) “Growth happens when we align individual development with organizational success.”
• B) “The best ideas emerge when everyone feels valued and can contribute authentically.”
• C) “Strong vision and decisive action drive meaningful change.”
• D) “Different situations and people require different leadership approaches.”

Scoring

Count the number of each letter you selected:

A responses: _____ (Transformational Leadership)
B responses: _____ (Servant Leadership)
C responses: _____ (Visionary Leadership)
D responses: _____ (Situational Leadership)

Your dominant style is the one with the highest score. If you have a tie, you likely blend these styles.

Your Leadership Style Profile

Primarily Transformational Leadership (Mostly A’s)

You excel at motivating others to achieve high standards while supporting their personal development. You create a culture of excellence where people are inspired to go beyond their perceived limitations. Your strength lies in connecting individual growth with organizational success.

Growth areas: Sometimes, you may need to slow down and focus more on the human elements of change. Not everyone is motivated by achievement and growth in the same way you are.

Primarily Servant Leadership (Mostly B’s)

You prioritize the well-being and growth of your team members. Your empathetic approach creates strong trust and loyalty. You excel at building collaborative environments where diverse perspectives are valued, often leading to innovative solutions and high team satisfaction.

Growth areas: You might occasionally need to make tough decisions that not everyone will agree with. Being too consensus-driven can sometimes slow progress or lead to compromised solutions.

Primarily Visionary Leadership (Mostly C’s)

You’re naturally skilled at seeing the big picture and inspiring others with a compelling future vision. Your confidence and decisive nature help teams navigate uncertainty and drive significant change. People look to you for clarity and direction during challenging times.

Growth areas: Sometimes, your focus on the vision might overshadow the importance of bringing everyone along on the journey. Not all team members will automatically share your enthusiasm and confidence.

Primarily Situational Leadership (Mostly D’s)

You excel at reading different contexts and adapting your approach accordingly. This flexibility makes you effective across diverse teams and circumstances. You recognize that no single leadership style works in all situations, making you particularly effective in complex or changing environments.

Growth areas: Sometimes, teams need consistency in approach. Be mindful that your adaptability doesn’t come across as inconsistency or lack of core principles.

Mixed Styles

Most effective leaders combine elements of different styles. If your scores were close across multiple styles, you likely adapt your approach based on circumstances, which can be a significant strength.

Next Steps for Your Leadership Development

1. Leverage your strengths: Identify situations where your dominant style is most effective and lean into those strengths.
2. Develop complementary skills: Choose one aspect of your lower-scoring styles to develop, particularly in situations where your dominant style might be less effective.
3. Seek feedback: Ask trusted colleagues how they experience your leadership style and where they see opportunities for growth.
4. Practice intentional flexibility: Before leadership situations, take a moment to consider which approach would be most effective rather than defaulting to your preferred style.
5. Continue your leadership journey: Explore more resources on the Step Into The Lead blog to deepen your understanding of different leadership approaches.