Leadership Competency Survey Questions
Get feedback in minutes with our free leadership competency survey template
The Leadership Competency survey is a streamlined assessment tool designed to measure leadership effectiveness and proficiencies among managers, executives, and team leads. Whether you're HR professionals driving talent development or organizational leaders seeking performance insights, this template helps you collect vital feedback and actionable data to enhance leadership capability and decision-making. Our free, fully customizable, and easily shareable format ensures a smooth rollout, while related resources like the Leadership Skills Survey and Leadership Qualities Survey offer deeper perspectives. With a professional, user-friendly structure, implementation is effortless - get started now to unlock valuable insights!
Trusted by 5000+ Brands

Unleash Your Inner Survey Superstar: Master Leadership Competency Questions
Ever wondered how a Leadership Competency survey can unlock hidden team superpowers? With the right zest and a slick survey maker, you'll zero in on strengths, spot blind spots, and spark candid conversations. Sprinkle in punchy prompts like "What makes communication shine on your team?" and watch insights roll in. Research from Azeredo and Henriqson and the trusty AHEAD study prove that clear, consistent models are the secret sauce.
Turn real-world challenges into survey gold by asking, "How brilliantly do you delegate under pressure?" Need a turbocharge? Grab our survey templates or peek at the Leadership Skills Survey and Leadership Qualities Survey for killer question blueprints.
Mix quick scales with juicy open-ended prompts to capture the full picture - no snooze-worthy checklists here. Imagine a manager uncovering recurring teamwork hiccups thanks to a well-placed narrative prompt. That's the power of blending data-driven questions with storytelling flair.
Remember, a standout Leadership Competency survey isn't just a questionnaire; it's your ticket to growth. Design with flair, back it with research, and get ready to ignite transformation!
5 Sneaky Survey Snafus You Can Totally Dodge
Even the sharpest Leadership Competency survey can hit a wall if you trip over jargon or muddy questions. Swap "How do you quantify leadership impact?" for a crisp, "How confident are you leading tough conversations?" Experts like Çitaku and Ramadani and Heinen et al. shout loud and clear: keep it simple.
Skipping anonymity is another pitfall. When people trust the process, they open up - just like teams using our Competency Survey or the Career Competency Survey do. Honest feedback like "Balancing team input feels like juggling flaming torches" is pure gold for growth.
Beware the temptation to overstuff your survey with endless items - survey fatigue is real. Aim for a lean, mean feedback machine: enough depth to matter, but short enough to love.
So don't let these slip-ups throw off your leadership insights. Dodge the drama, craft with care, and watch your survey spark genuine transformation!
Leadership Competency Survey Questions
Communication in Leadership Competency Survey Questions
This section of leadership competency survey questions focuses on communication skills. Including these questions helps gauge how effectively leaders share visions and ideas. Best practices include ensuring clarity, openness, and regular feedback to interpret responses accurately.
Question | Purpose |
---|---|
How do you communicate your vision to your team? | Assesses clarity and consistency in messaging. |
What methods do you use to encourage team discussions? | Evaluates engagement and inclusivity. |
How do you handle miscommunications within the team? | Measures problem-solving and resolution skills. |
In what ways do you adapt your communication style? | Identifies flexibility and responsiveness to team needs. |
How often do you solicit feedback from your team? | Indicates openness to improvement and dialogue. |
What strategies do you implement for transparent communication? | Highlights commitment to trust and accountability. |
How do you ensure all voices are heard during meetings? | Evaluates inclusiveness and collaborative decision-making. |
What role does active listening play in your leadership? | Assesses the emphasis on understanding team perspectives. |
How do you address language or cultural barriers? | Measures sensitivity and adaptability in diverse settings. |
How do you prepare for high-stakes communication scenarios? | Evaluates readiness and strategic planning in communications. |
Decision-Making in Leadership Competency Survey Questions
This set of leadership competency survey questions targets decision-making abilities. These questions help understand a leader's capability to analyze situations, make timely decisions, and learn from outcomes. Best practices involve ensuring questions prompt reflection on both successes and challenges.
Question | Purpose |
---|---|
How do you evaluate different options before making a decision? | Assesses critical thinking and analytical skills. |
What criteria do you consider most important in decision-making? | Identifies prioritization and core values. |
How do you balance intuition with data analysis? | Measures the integration of emotion and logic. |
How do you involve your team in complex decisions? | Evaluates collaborative decision-making and inclusivity. |
What is your process for making quick decisions under pressure? | Assesses crisis management and agility. |
How do you review the outcomes of your decisions? | Highlights commitment to accountability and learning. |
How do you manage risk when making tough choices? | Examines risk assessment and mitigation strategies. |
What role does consultation play in your decision process? | Measures the value placed on diverse perspectives. |
How do you deal with decision fatigue? | Assesses self-awareness and stress management. |
How do you prioritize decisions when resources are limited? | Evaluates strategic allocation and prioritization skills. |
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Competency Survey Questions
This collection of leadership competency survey questions explores emotional intelligence. It helps reveal how leaders empathize, manage emotions, and build strong interpersonal relationships. Best practices include assessing both self-awareness and empathy to create a well-rounded evaluation.
Question | Purpose |
---|---|
How do you recognize and manage your own emotions? | Assesses self-awareness and emotional regulation. |
How do you handle emotional conflicts within your team? | Evaluates conflict resolution and mediation skills. |
What steps do you take to understand others' feelings? | Measures empathy and interpersonal sensitivity. |
How do you respond to feedback about your interpersonal skills? | Assesses openness and continuous improvement mentality. |
How do you balance assertiveness with empathy? | Evaluates the integration of firmness and compassion. |
How do you foster an emotionally supportive environment? | Highlights efforts to build trust and safety. |
How do you manage stress and pressure in challenging situations? | Assesses resilience and coping mechanisms. |
What techniques do you use to regulate team morale? | Measures the use of emotional cues to support the team. |
How do you ensure emotional balance in decision meetings? | Evaluates maintaining neutrality during tensions. |
How do you celebrate and acknowledge team successes emotionally? | Assesses the ability to boost team spirit and motivation. |
Strategic Planning in Leadership Competency Survey Questions
This category provides leadership competency survey questions that focus on strategic planning. It helps identify how well leaders align short-term actions with long-term goals. Best practice tips include rigorous assessment of vision articulation and strategic foresight.
Question | Purpose |
---|---|
How do you set long-term goals for your team? | Assesses ability to envision the future and plan ahead. |
What processes do you follow for strategic planning? | Evaluates systematic and organized planning skills. |
How do you align team objectives with organizational goals? | Measures alignment and integration of strategies. |
How do you balance innovation with practical planning? | Assesses the blend of creativity and feasibility. |
How do you review and adjust your strategies over time? | Highlights flexibility and responsiveness to change. |
How do you incorporate feedback into strategic revisions? | Evaluates learnings from stakeholders and adaptability. |
How do you communicate strategic plans to your team? | Measures clarity in setting shared objectives. |
How do you implement strategies in fluctuating environments? | Assesses dynamic planning and situational awareness. |
How do you prioritize conflicting strategic initiatives? | Evaluates decision-making under ambiguity. |
How do you track progress towards strategic goals? | Measures the ability to monitor and evaluate achievements. |
Team Management in Leadership Competency Survey Questions
This section focuses on team management through leadership competency survey questions. It investigates how leaders build, motivate, and manage teams to perform at their best. Best practices include fostering a positive team culture and regular performance reviews for continuous growth.
Question | Purpose |
---|---|
How do you motivate your team during challenging times? | Assesses methods used to sustain team morale. |
What techniques do you use for effective delegation? | Evaluates trust, clarity, and resource allocation. |
How do you resolve conflicts within the team? | Measures conflict management and mediation skills. |
How do you evaluate team performance regularly? | Assesses ability to set benchmarks and monitor progress. |
How do you create opportunities for team development? | Highlights emphasis on professional growth and training. |
How do you foster a culture of collaboration? | Evaluates efforts to boost collective input and teamwork. |
How do you involve team members in decision making? | Measures inclusive leadership and engagement. |
How do you handle underperformance within your team? | Assesses approaches to identify and improve issues. |
How do you adjust management style to suit different personalities? | Evaluates adaptability and individualization in leadership. |
How do you celebrate team successes? | Highlights recognition practices that boost morale. |
FAQ
What is a Leadership Competency survey and why is it important?
A Leadership Competency survey is a structured tool used to assess a leader's skills, behaviors, and overall performance. It gathers valuable feedback from peers, direct reports, and supervisors to offer a balanced view of leadership effectiveness. This survey helps pinpoint strengths and areas needing improvement while guiding targeted development initiatives. It plays a key role in aligning leadership practices with organizational goals.
This survey also enhances self-awareness and drives continuous professional growth. It encourages leaders to address gaps in communication, decision-making, and team engagement.
Consider using it as part of regular reviews to inform coaching and training programs that support leadership progress within the organization.
What are some good examples of Leadership Competency survey questions?
Good examples of Leadership Competency survey questions ask respondents to rate a leader's effectiveness in areas such as decision-making, communication clarity, conflict resolution, and strategic vision. They may include statements like "The leader effectively communicates organizational goals" or "The leader demonstrates accountability in challenging situations." These questions are designed to provide measurable feedback and highlight specific leadership behaviors.
Additional questions can inquire about a leader's ability to motivate and inspire teams.
For instance, ask how well the leader manages change or fosters innovation. Incorporating both rating scales and open-ended prompts enables a deeper understanding of leadership strengths and development needs.
How do I create effective Leadership Competency survey questions?
To create effective Leadership Competency survey questions, focus on clarity and relevance. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon to ensure every respondent clearly understands each query. Frame questions to cover key leadership attributes such as strategic thinking, communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. The goal is to gather honest evaluations that reflect real behaviors and performance.
Mix closed-ended questions with options for open-ended feedback to enrich the insights collected.
Pilot test your questions with a small group to check for clarity and balance. This approach minimizes ambiguity and helps refine the survey for maximum impact on leadership development initiatives.
How many questions should a Leadership Competency survey include?
A Leadership Competency survey should include enough questions to address essential leadership traits without overwhelming respondents. Typically, a range of 10 to 20 well-crafted questions can provide a comprehensive view of key areas such as communication, decision-making, and team management. The chosen number should reflect the survey's objectives while ensuring the content remains focused and straightforward.
Keeping the survey concise improves response rates and the quality of feedback.
Review and pilot test the survey to balance depth and brevity. Tailor the number of questions based on the organizational context and desired level of insight, ensuring each question contributes valuable information for leadership development.
When is the best time to conduct a Leadership Competency survey (and how often)?
The best time to conduct a Leadership Competency survey is during key performance review periods or after significant organizational changes. This timing helps capture current leadership behaviors and provides immediate feedback to support development initiatives. Regular surveys ensure that leadership progress is monitored and aligned with evolving business needs.
Conducting surveys annually or semi-annually is common practice to maintain a pulse on leadership effectiveness.
Consider scheduling follow-up surveys after training sessions or organizational shifts to measure improvement. Aligning the survey schedule with business cycles ensures that the data remains relevant and actionable.
What are common mistakes to avoid in Leadership Competency surveys?
Common mistakes in Leadership Competency surveys include using vague or confusing language and overloading the survey with too many questions. Avoid questions that mix multiple ideas in one or lead the respondent toward a specific answer. It is important to remain neutral in tone so that the feedback accurately reflects leadership performance. Clarity and brevity are key to obtaining honest and actionable responses.
Ensure your survey is both balanced and focused, avoiding biased wording or repetitive queries.
Pilot the survey with a small group to spot potential issues before full deployment. Keeping the survey simple and targeted will support clearer insights into leadership strengths and improvement opportunities.