Leadership Practices Inventory
LPI 360 Assessment
The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) has been called the "most reliable and valid instrument for leadership development" by the Center for Creative Leadership. The LPI is an empirical assessment tool, which has been used with over 250,000 leaders and more than a million of the people they lead. More than 120 scientific studies have consistently confirmed the reliability and validity of the LPI and the Kouzes-Posner leadership framework on which it is based.
The LPI-360 measures 30 behaviors that have stood the test of time: ongoing research by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner for almost two decades has proven that leaders engage in these 30 behaviors when performing at their very best. The more frequently leaders exhibit these behaviors, the more one attributes to them the qualities of leadership.
The 30 Leadership Behaviors
How frequently do others see you engage in leadership behaviors?
"Leadership is not about personality. It's about a measurable, teachable, learnable set of behaviors."
— Jim Kouzes
A partial list of the 30 behaviors in the LPI-360:
(The complete list can be viewed on page 5 of the sample LPI 360-assessment)
- Speaks with genuine conviction about the higher purpose and meaning of our work.
- Makes it a point to let people know about his or her confidence in their abilities.
- Tells stories of encouragement about the good work of others.
- Asks "what can we learn" when things don't go as expected.
- Takes the initiative in anticipating and responding to change.
- Talks about future trends that will influence how our work gets done.
- Treats others with dignity and respect.
The 30 behaviors are distilled into five key practices of leadership.
The Five Practices of Leadership
Model the Way
Leaders set the example by aligning actions with shared values. When you lead by example, you create a picture of what's possible. This is about doing what you say you will do. It's about viewing all your promises as an unpaid debt, and it's about accountability and authenticity.
Inspire a Shared Vision
The best leaders inspire people by envisioning exciting and ennobling possibilities. Leaders are purveyors of hope. They instill in people the belief that no matter how bad things are, tomorrow is better than today. As Martin Luther said, "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."
Challenge the Process
Bosses are generally concerned about maintaining the status quo. Leaders buck the status quo; they make space for new ideas. Leaders look for opportunities to grow and innovate. They take appropriate risks by constantly looking for small wins along the way and learning from mistakes.
Enable Others to Act
Exceptional leaders give people elbow room. They provide choice and latitude. They promote collaboration, build trust, and strengthen the people they lead by sharing information, power, and discretion. Their leadership approach inspires people to give them their discretionary effort - the best they have to offer.
Encourage the Heart
Leaders worth following recognize individual contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. As Max DePree put it, "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you." These leaders celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community. They give encouragement, opportunity, and moral support. They give people visibility and a sense of importance. In short, people feel good about themselves when they are in their presence.
The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) 360 Assessment
View sample (.pdf 2.77 MB)
"Leadership development tools come and go, but for two decades, the 360-degree LPI from Kouzes and Posner endures, and for good reason. it's simply the best."
— Brent Green, Ph.D., Director, Organization Effectiveness, McKesson Corporation.
I used the LPI for senior leaders who wanted to sharpen the saw, aspiring leaders who wanted to accelerate their leadership development and individual contributors who wanted to acquire leadership qualities. In short, the LPI was a tool I used for anyone who wanted to develop a leadership presence in the room, reflecting Jim Kouzes' view that leadership is not a specific title or position, it's a state of mind.
As a certified LPI coach, I paired each assessment with a personalized report, an 88-page leadership development planner, a participant's workbook, and a 60-90 minute coaching/debrief session to help clients build an action plan.
Other LPI assessments I used to help clients:
Re-assessment Report (To see changes in behavior from the original LPI assessment.)
View sample (.pdf 257 KB)
Group Assessment Report (Combined ratings for a group of leaders in your organization.)
View sample (.pdf 774 KB)
LPI Individual Report
View sample
