Leadership Values Assessment
Discover your leadership philosophy. This assessment measures where you fall on the control-to-empowerment spectrum using 30 paired comparisons based on McGregor's Theory X/Y framework, updated with modern language for today's workplace.
The Theory X/Y Framework
Based on Douglas McGregor's foundational management theory (1960), the Leadership Values Assessment measures two fundamental orientations toward leadership:
Control-Oriented (Theory X)
Believes that most people need external motivation, close supervision, and clear structure to perform well.
- Emphasizes accountability and compliance
- Prefers clear rules and procedures
- Values predictability and control
Empowerment-Oriented (Theory Y)
Believes that people are naturally motivated, capable of self-direction, and thrive with autonomy.
- Trusts intrinsic motivation
- Delegates authority and decision-making
- Creates autonomy-supportive environments
7 Leadership Profiles
Based on your position on both dimensions, you receive one of seven leadership profiles:
| Profile | Pattern | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Empowerment | Low Control, High Empowerment | Strong empowerment beliefs, rejects control approaches |
| Empowerment-Leaning | Low Control, Medium Empowerment | Empowerment preference with realistic perspective |
| Balanced Empowerer | Medium Control, High Empowerment | Empowerment focus with situational flexibility |
| Situational Leader | Medium Control, Medium Empowerment | Highly adaptive, context-dependent approach |
| Balanced Controller | Medium Control, Low Empowerment | Structure focus with situational awareness |
| Control-Leaning | High Control, Medium Empowerment | Control preference with some openness |
| Pure Control | High Control, Low Empowerment | Strong control beliefs, values structure and compliance |
How It Works
The assessment presents 30 paired comparisons. For each pair, you indicate which statement better reflects your beliefs about leadership—and how strongly you prefer it.
The 4-point graded response scale captures nuance: "strongly prefer" vs. "slightly prefer" provides more precise measurement than simple either/or choices.
Who Uses This
- Executive coaches: Understand client's core leadership beliefs before developing action plans
- Leadership development programs: Baseline assessment of management philosophy
- Organizational development: Map leadership culture across management levels
- Self-awareness: Discover your implicit assumptions about people and management
The Science
- Based on McGregor's Theory X/Y (1960), the most cited management theory in organizational psychology
- 4-point graded paired comparison format based on Thurstonian IRT methodology
- Normative data from n=721 working adults in management/supervisory roles
- T-score and percentile scoring for between-person comparison
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