leadership compass

The Leadership Compass Self-Assessment

“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” —audre lorde

Goals

• Give us a vocabulary and a way of thinking about working with each other in our teams

• Deepen our appreciation of everyone’s different work styles

• Understand the need for a variety of work styles • Reflect on our own individual work styles and identify

areas for growth • Understand the negative and positive impacts of each

style taken to excess • Learn the qualities we can develop to become better

leaders

Basic assumptions

• We will categorize ourselves into the work style that fits us best at work

• No one is purely one style, rather everyone typically has portions of all styles

• For this discussion we will pick one that fits us best at work

• All comments will be directed towards a work style, not a person with the qualities of that direction

l The Leade rship Compass se lf-assessment, Continued

North—Action Approaches to Work/Work style

I am usually assertive, active, and decisive.

I like to determine the course of events and be in control of professional relationships.

I am quick to act and express a sense of urgency for others to act.

I enjoy challenges presented by difficult situations and people.

I think in terms of the bottom line or results.

I like a quick pace and fast track.

I persevere and am not stopped by hearing “No”; I probe and press to get at hidden resistances.

I like variety, novelty, and new projects.

I am comfortable being in front of a room or crowd.

Some of my value-oriented words phrases include “Do it now!,” “I’ll do it!,” and “What’s the bottom line?”

East—Vision Approaches to Work/Work style

I am a visionary who sees the big picture.

I am a generative and creative thinker; I am able to think outside the box.

I am very idea-oriented and focus on future thought.

I make decisions by standing in the future.

I usually have insight into mission and purpose.

I look for overarching themes and ideas.

I am adept at problem-solving.

I like to experiment and explore new ways of doing things.

I appreciate a lot of information.

My value-oriented words are “option,” “possibility,” and “imagine.”

EAST

The Leade rship Compass se lf-assessment, Continued

South—Empathy Approaches to Work/Work style

I understand how people need to receive information in order to act upon it.

I integrate others’ input in determining the direction of what’s happening.

I am value-driven regarding aspects of professional life.

I use professional relationships to accomplish tasks and interaction is primary to me.

I am supportive of colleagues and peers.

I have a willingness to take others’ statements at face value.

I am feeling-based and trust my own emotions and intuition.

I believe my intuition and emotions are regarded as truth.

I am receptive to others’ ideas; I am a team player; I build on the ideas of others.

I am generally non-competitive.

I am able to focus on the present moment.

My value-oriented words are “right” and “fair.”

West—Analytical Approaches to Work/Work style

I understand what information is needed to assist in decision-making.

I am seen as practical, dependable, and thorough in task situations.

I’m helpful to others by providing planning and resources and come through for the team.

I move carefully and follow procedures and guidelines.

I use data analysis and logic to make decisions.

I weigh all sides of an issue and am balanced.

I am introspective and self-analytical.

I am careful and thoroughly examine people’s needs in situations.

I maximize existing resources and get the most out of what has been done in the past.

I am skilled at finding fatal flaws in an idea or project.

My value-oriented word is “objective.”

The Leade rship Compass se lf-assessment, Continued

Approaches to work/work Style

NORTH—Action

WEST—Analytical

Vision

SOUTH— Empathy

The Leade rship Compass se lf-assessment, Continued

Styles Taken to Excess

NORTH—Action

WEST—Analytical

Vision

SOUTH— Empathy