2002/99/ENT  

The purpose of this article is to describe the design of Global Leadership Life Inventory (GlobeInvent), a 360-degree leadership feedback instrument. This instrument is presently used in executive programs to help identify the operational mode of individual executives. Proper use of this instrument enables the user to determinate those areas of leadership behavior where improvement is needed. The first step in designing the instrument was to pinpoint significant themes pertaining to exemplary leadership. Toward that end, a review of the research pertaining to what makes for leadership effectiveness was conducted, and semi-structured interviews with senior executives were held. The leadership dimensions that emerged from that two-part process were then tested on an international sample of senior executives. Analysis of the data from that testing confirmed the existence of twelve robust dimensions with a high reliability and internal consistency. These dimensions, which are part of the Global Leadership Life Inventory, were labeled “Envisioning,” “Empowering,” “Energizing,” “Designing and Controlling,” “Rewarding and Giving Feedback,” “Team-Building,” “Outside Stakeholder Orientation,” “Global Mindset,” “Tenacity,” “Emotional Intelligence,” “Life Balance,” and “Resilience to Stress.” Because the GlobeInvent is a 360-degree feedback instrument, it amasses not only data from self-assessment but also data derived from assessments conducted by colleagues, customers, friends, and even family members. This article addresses differences between “Self” scores and scores given by others (“Observers”), gender differences in scoring, and the influence of nationality, management experience, and age on test results. The implications of using such an instrument as a 360-degree feedback tool are reviewed, and suggestions for future research are offered.