Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles psychology test

The Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test has a very specific objective: to evaluate the impact of certain types of leaders on our emotions. It was in the book Primal Leadership, published in 2011, where these experts introduced this instrument for the first time with the idea of ​​highlighting a specific personality, that of the resonant leader.

Daniel Goleman points out the need for the world of organizations and the economy to begin to value the emotional area of ​​human capital much more. As he warns, a good leader means, at the end of the day, that a company becomes not only profitable or productive. Furthermore, the leadership style impacts each worker, the organizational climate, well-being and motivation.

Thus, it is interesting to note that both Goleman himself, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee They emphasize the figure of the resonant leader. This is that person who has adequate self-awareness to feel what is right and what is wrong in a situation. He is someone who puts aside his negative emotions and transmits enthusiasm, confidence and empathy to others.

It is necessary, therefore, to evaluate what type of leadership defines someone specifically to understand what they transmit to their team, their employees or their closest environment. Because The good leader is not the one who has the most command power, the one who sets the guidelines. In reality, he is that man or woman capable of bringing out the best in everyone around him.

Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test

In the book Primal Leadership or translated into Spanish “The Resonant Leader”, Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee, They tell us about six leadership styles. These profiles form the basis of the Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test, a highly useful resource for any manager, human resources department and anyone who wants to know how they understand and apply leadership.

Likewise, it is necessary to clarify one aspect. A leader is not only a facilitator for the success of his team, someone who provides resources, guidance and training necessary to achieve objectives for the organization. Actually, A leader is also someone who has influence over others, such as a friend, family member, neighbor, etc.

The most positive and resonant leadership for Goleman, Boyatzis and Mckee means nurturing and improving, not just directing and ordering. This is how changes and well-being are generated where everyone is rewarded.

Therefore, the Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test not only gives us information about the type of leader we are. It also offers guidance on those aspects that we should improve.

What does the leadership styles test consist of?

The Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test consists of a scale organized into 6 parts. Each of these parts measures a type of leadership and, to estimate whether a person gives a low, medium or highly significant score, 9 questions are asked.

Therefore, this test consists of 54 items (questions) in total where the examinee must answer Yes/No. Let’s get to know those types of leadership that are measured in this test.

1. The visionary leader

The visionary leader uses his experience, motivation and enthusiasm to inspire his followers.. He knows what his priorities are and transmits them to others with positivity. Likewise, this style of leader tends to leave a lot of freedom to his people so that they can achieve each goal with their own resources.

2. The personal trainer

The leader who acts as a personal trainer, attends to each individual in a personal way. He listens to them, helps them and contributes closely to their development within the organization.

3. Affiliative leader

This is the type of leadership that is defined by empathy. They are sensitive to the problems of others and prioritize people over goals, creating a harmonious and balanced culture.

4. Democratic leader

This style revolves around the need to always achieve consensus. The democratic leader encourages team flexibility as well as equality; he attends to everyone’s needs and makes use of incentives.

5. The controlling leader

The controlling leader uses himself as a reference. He expects others to follow him and do the same as him or her, because they see themselves as examples of superiority and effectiveness. In addition, they seek to achieve short-term objectives, supervise each task and seek to have control over every movement their team carries out.

6. Authoritarian leader

The coercive or authoritarian style uses and abuses its power. He asks for obedience and respect to his authority, and to do so, he demands that what he wants be fulfilled, be done as soon as possible.

Likewise, it should be noted that this type of leadership does not listen to opinions and everything must be carried out, done out of tradition and obedience. Any innovative opinion, any different and original suggestion, is seen as a challenge to his authority..

How do you interpret the Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test?

The Goleman and Boyatzis leadership styles test offers us different types of information. To begin with, of the 6 styles described here, The common thing is to present some significance in several of them. Thus, in general, someone may score high on the dimensions of authoritarianism and control. Others will become a personal trainer and democratic leader.

Thus, according to Goleman, The effective leader “moves normally” in at least three of the six styles of this scale, the most recommended being the visionary leader, the democratic leader and the personal trainer. Therefore, it is worth thinking about it and keeping it in mind, not only for the workplace.

In a way, we are all part of social groups (friends, family, co-workers…). In other words, we are a source of influence, capable of inspire, support, listen and bring out the best in who we have next to us.

You might be interested…