Self-Assessment Tool:
Self-Check for Leadership Qualities

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The self-assessment tools are intended as a first step in helping you to define issues that may be important to your effectiveness in a leadership capacity.

The value in these assessments is in answering them as honestly as you can, and then following through on the learning that they might indicate.

Remember that leadership skills can be learned.  Your current assessment need not be the same as your future assessment.  Think of this as a learning opportunity.

Do you have leadership qualities? Based on more than three decades of experience in assessing and learning about organization leaders, Jim Wuest, managing partner, A.W. Fraser and Associates, compiled these dimensions of leadership and developed a self-check list of leadership qualities. This is not intended as an evaluation tool of you by others, nor for you of others. Use this to evaluate your leadership qualities for your own interest.

1. Competence
  • You are knowledgeable in the subject areas relevant to your organization's success;
  • Your knowledge is seasoned and tested;
  • You are successful, with a winning track record.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
2. Integrity
  • You keep your word ... always;
  • You do what is right ... always;
  • You are truthful in your words and actions;
  • You do not tolerate "looking the other way";
  • You choose the more difficult right over the easier wrong;
  • You have in-depth understanding of others and connect with their struggles to know their own limitations - often this comes from experiencing deep, personal loss and pain, which helps you to gain humility;
  • You guard your principles and convictions;
  • What you do is a demonstration of who you are;
  • You are honest and admit mistakes.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
3. Values
  • You establish clear statements of the organization's values to guide the behaviour of employees;
  • You live your organization's values;
  • You audit the organization's adherence to its values;
  • You demonstrate social responsibility to the greater community.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
4. Vision
  • You have a clear picture of your organization's vision and direction;
  • You foster the development of a common vision for your organization or department;
  • You have a strong sense of direction;
  • You have well-thought-out plans to achieve;
  • You accept public accountability to achieve the plans;
  • You are committed to continuous growth.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
5. Passionate Commitment
  • You engage people's hearts, emotions, and passions to achieve the organization's vision;
  • You inspire people to work at their full capabilities;
  • You create enthusiasm and a desire to excel;
  • You expect positive results;
  • You have high and sustained energy;
  • You persevere to see plans through to completion.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
6. Decisiveness
  • You demonstrate sound analyses and timeliness;
  • You have the courage to take risks to achieve superior results;
  • You recognize that decisions are judgements, not consensus on the facts;
  • You make decisions when faced with opportunities.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
7. Effectiveness
  • You focus on results versus tasks, techniques, and tools;
  • You build on strengths - your people's and organization's resources - not on weaknesses;
  • You work efficiently, making good use of priority and time management tools;
  • You achieve superior results and routinely exceed expectations.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
8. Understanding of People
  • You listen;
  • You know, respect, and value the concerns and capabilities of others;
  • You care about employees' successes and growth to reach their potential;
  • You are concerned for your employees.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
9. Team-Building
  • You earn the respect of others;
  • You create group commitment to achieving collective goals;
  • You state expectations with clear specific directions and priorities, resources, limits, measures, and results;
  • You empower others to accomplish results;
  • You guide and support;
  • You address non-performance and conflict;
  • You stimulate employees to reach their potential;
  • You encourage joy in work;
  • You assist employees to change with grace;
  • You encourage contrary opinions;
  • You provide challenging assignments;
  • You acknowledge and show appreciation;
  • You develop future leaders.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
10. Self-Confidence
  • You are willing to face reality;
  • You are sure of your capabilities;
  • You are comfortable and clear about your limitations;
  • You have a strong sense of your worth.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength
11. Continuous Learning
  • You thirst for new knowledge;
  • You vigorously seek new ideas.

Not a Strength Needs Considerable Development 
Needs Further Development Major Strength

For information on leadership assessment and development, contact A.W. Fraser & Associates.

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Last Review / Update: 2005-01-06