“You don’t lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault not leadership” Dwight Eisenhower

1. Inventory of Leadership Styles

2. “You don’t lead by hitting people over the A short history of leadership
head – that’s assault not leadership” The Inventory of Leadership Styles (ILS) is based on work begun at Harvard
Dwight Eisenhower
University by psychologists Litwin and Stringer. Through decades of research
and the use of multi-rater surveys amongst top organizations worldwide, Hay
What do effective leaders do? Do they berate, cajole and plead? Do they
Group identified the six most effective styles of leadership:
collude, or do they simply lead by example? The truth is that they probably
use a variety of different techniques to get the best out of people. Hay Group Directive: emphasis on immediate compliance from employees
research shows that the most effective leaders use a collection of distinct Visionary: emphasis on providing long term vision and leadership
leadership styles – each in the right measure, at just the right time. The ability to
combine these styles and put them into action is not easy, but does pay off in Affiliative: emphasis on creating harmony
performance. Participative: emphasis on group consensus and generating new ideas
Effective leadership eludes many people and organizations. One of the reasons Pacesetting: emphasis on accomplishing tasks to high standards
has been a lack of understanding about the precise leadership behaviors that Coaching: emphasis on professional growth of employees
yield the best results. Fortunately we have the research and the data to remedy
that problem.
Designed by experts, used by professionals
‘‘over-rated?’’
The ILS has 68 questions and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The feedback
report consists of two profiles:
Self-profile: how the manager thinks they are behaving
A Hay Group study suggests the higher people rise in an organization,
Feedback profile: the styles their team experience
the more likely they are to over-rate themselves and develop blind spots
that hinder their effectiveness as leaders. The survey of 1,214 leaders
It is important to compare the two sets of data. The report brings into focus how
from organizations worldwide showed that the more senior they were
the leader actually comes across, versus how they intended to come across.
in an organization, the more they over-rated themselves compared
This is powerful feedback to receive and must be delivered by an accredited
to how they were rated by others. This tendency to develop executive
consultant.
blind spots can be overcome by establishing a 1800 feedback process
using tools such as the Inventory of Leadership Styles.
The Inventory of Leadership Styles can be used as a stand–alone instrument,
but is most effective with the Organizational Climate Survey (OCS). The ILS helps
leaders identify the leadership behaviors they use; the OCS allows them to see
the impact these behaviors are having on their team.

3. How you’ll learn to lead by example
The Inventory of Leadership Styles is the closest you get to
understanding leadership from the point of view of those being led. It is
normed against tens of thousands of managers around the world, across
industries and across job functions and levels. The feedback shows
you how your employees’ experiences compare with those in other
organizations.
The ILS will help your leaders:
 have a much clearer picture of what it takes to lead effectively and
how you can make that happen
 have a direct impact on the working atmosphere of your company,
team or division – and ultimately on your financial performance
 use our reports in one-to-one feedback and group development
programs
 respond better to continually changing business environments,
using Leadership Styles at the right time in the right measure to
achieve results
It is important for leaders to identify their leadership styles’ strengths
and weaknesses. However, measuring is only the first step. We’d love you
to call us to talk about how our consultants can design something that
meets your specific needs around Leadership Styles.
Hay Group
Europe, Middle East, India & Africa:
+ 44 (0)20 7856 7575
The Americas & Asia Pacific:
+ 1 800 729 8074
+ 1 617 927 5026
web: www.haygroup.com