Leadership Styles Quiz

What’s your leadership style?

From new managers to seasoned executives, it is not uncommon for the answer to this question to be along the lines of “I’m not too sure.” If you feel the same or have never had the chance to investigate, take this leadership styles quiz to uncover your approach to leadership.

QUESTION 1

Finish this sentence: I think the best leaders…

1. Work collaboratively and as equals with their employees, regardless of the formal hierarchy.
2. Interfere as little as possible in their employee's day-to-day activities.
3. Rely on their influence and relationships to get things done, rather than their formal authority.
4. Take control of any situation and do not rely on anyone else to make decisions.
5. Are perpetually looking to improve and find ways to do things better or faster.
6. Create a strong sense of belonging and psychological safety for their employees.

QUESTION 2

An employee of yours is showing signs of being demotivated, what are you most likely to do?

1. I closely manage their tasks to ensure that they are meeting their deadlines and not making any mistakes.
2. I meet with them one-on-one and have a candid conversation to decipher what might be causing their lack of motivation.
3. So long as they’re delivering what’s expected of them, I leave them be and don’t get involved.

QUESTION 3

True or false: I often use humor and tell stories to connect with my employees.

1. True
2. False
   
   

QUESTION 4

What would you say is your greatest strength as a leader?

1. I collaborate with my employees when making a decision.
2. I give my employees creative freedom and autonomy to do their work as they see fit.
3. I build strong emotional connections with my employees that makes them trust me.
4. In the face of uncertainty, I take control and make definite decisions to relieve my employees.
5. I demonstrate, by example, the level of performance and quality expected of my employees.
6. I keep my employees happy and am focused on maintaining a level of harmony among my team.
   
   

QUESTION 5

Choose the statement that you most agree with:

1. I let my employees complete their work the way they want to.
2. I want my employees to complete their work the way I do.
   
   

QUESTION 6

True or false: I do not feel it is necessary to consult with others before making a decision.

1. True
2. False
   
   

QUESTION 7

True or false: I want and encourage my employees to share their feedback, opinions, and concerns.

1. True
2. False
   
   

QUESTION 8

True or false: I have a strong sense of my team’s psychological well-being and emotional needs at all times.

1. True
2. False
   
   

QUESTION 9

There is a divide amongst your team on how to solve a problem. How do you feel about this?

1. I fear it will lead to a bigger conflict, so I try to quickly restore order and harmony.
2. I’m okay with it. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy debate so long as everyone is respectful of one another.
   
   

QUESTION 10

True or false: I get frustrated when my employees are not able to match my level of performance.

1. True
2. False
   
   

QUESTION 11

What phrase best suits your approach to leadership?

1. “Do what I tell you.”
2. “What do you think?”
3. “Let them be."
4. “Come with me.”'
5. “Do exactly as I do.”
6. “People come first.”
   
   

QUESTION 12

True or false: When I delegate a task to my employees, I don’t worry about how they get it done and leave them to complete it on their own.

1. True
2. False

Results

Track your responses to each question. Whatever style comes up the most is your most dominant leadership style.

Question 1:

1. Democratic
2. Laissez-Faire
3. Charismatic
4. Authoritarian
5. Pacesetting
6. Affiliative

Question 2:

1. Authoritarian
2. Charismatic
3. Laissez-Faire
   
   

Question 3:

1. Charismatic
2. N/A
   
   

Question 4:

1. Democratic
2. Laissez-Faire
3. Charismatic
4. Authoritarian
5. Pacesetting
6. Affiliative
   
   

Question 5:

1. Laissez-Faire
2. Pacesetting
   
   

Question 6:

1. Authoritarian
2. N/A
   
   

Question 7:

1. Democratic
2. N/A
   
   

Question 8:

1. Affiliative
2. N/A
   
   

Question 9:

1. Affiliative
2. Democratic
   
   

Question 10:

1. Pacesetting
2. N/A
   
   

Question 11:

1. Authoritarian
2. Democratic
3. Laissez-Faire
4. Charismatic
5. Pacesetting
6. Affiliative
   
   

Question 12:

1. Laissez-Faire
2. N/A