PsyMax Solutions Newsletter: Trends in online HR solutions
What Makes A Good Leader?
In This Issue:
- Behaviors Associated with Good Leadership
- Case Study: PsyMax Solutions Helps Leading Retail Supercenter Chain Identify and Assess The Most Critical Competencies For Success
- Human Resource Trends: Measuring Leadership Competencies
- Public Eye: PsyMax Solutions in the News
1. Behaviors Associated with Good Leadership
The United States Army War College conducted a study in 2004 to investigate the behaviors associated with perceptions of effective leadership. The researchers used survey instruments and interviews to collect information from members of four Army Divisions that had recently returned from service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The study determined that interpersonal skills are more important to the distinction between good and bad leadership than technical know-how. Below is the study's "Big 12" list of critical leadership behaviors that differentiated between effective and ineffective leaders.
- Keeps cool under pressure.
- Clearly explains missions, standards, and priorities.
- Sees the big picture; provides context and perspective.
- Can make tough, sound decisions on time.
- Adapts quickly to new situations and requirements.
- Sets high standards without a “zero defects” mentality.
- Can handle “bad news.”
- Coaches and gives useful feedback to subordinates.
- Sets a high ethical tone; demands honest reporting.
- Knows how to delegate and not “micromanage.”
- Builds and supports teamwork within staff and among units.
- Is positive, encouraging, and realistically optimistic.
Source: Leadership Lessons at Division Command Level - 2004 (Ulmer, W.F., Shaler, M.D., Bullis, R.C., DiClemente, D.F., and Jacobs, T.O.)
2. Case Study: PsyMax Solutions Helps Leading Retail Supercenter Chain Identify and Assess The Most Critical Competencies For Success
A leading grocery, discount, and variety retailer wanted to identify and assess the most critical competencies for success in its Store Director position. The retailer chose PsyMax SolutionsSM to help select, coach, and develop its Store Directors. A group of 132 Store Directors completed the Work Style AssessmentSM (WSA) inventory, which measures a variety of work styles that pertain to how individuals achieve results, interact with others, solve problems, and handle feelings and emotions. Store Directors also completed PsyMax's Business Thinking inventory, which assesses Business Data Reasoning, Business Communication, and Business Problem Solving abilities. At the same time, each Store Director's manager evaluated his/her job performance by completing a job performance rating form provided by PsyMax Solutions.
The results of the study indicated that eight key work styles were predictive of job performance. Some examples of these behaviors were:- Leads others, takes charge, and exercises authority
- Shows resilience in the face of criticism and does not take negative feedback personally
- Projects self-confidence and optimism for the future
- Confronts difficult situations in a candid manner and communicates directly
The results of the study also indicated that the Business Thinking scale was predictive of critical elements of job performance.
Store Directors who scored above average or better on the WSA and Business Thinking inventories performed substantially better on the job than Store Directors who scored average or below. The research study found that 42% of Store Directors who scored highly on the assessments were above average in Driving for Results & Solving Problems, but only 11% of Store Directors who scored average or worse on the assessments were rated as excellent performers in this category. This pattern was repeated for job performance ratings of Dealing With People (26% versus 22%), Managing Self (32% versus 14%), and Analytical (40% versus 0%).
Based on the results of the study, the retailer implemented the PsyMax Solutions assessment to aid in the selection and development of its Store Directors. In addition, PsyMax Solutions distributed development reports for Store Directors and coaching reports for District Managers. This leading chain now has a validated Success Profile for its Store Director position as well as a coaching and development system that will allow Store Directors to continue to grow and develop.
3. Human Resource Trends: Measuring Leadership Competencies
Identifying and investing in your leadership talent means securing your company's future. Measuring leadership competencies is critical to the development of your leaders and ultimately the success of the company.
The PsyMax Solutions Leadership Perception Profiler (LPP) is a 360° assessment product that measures 21 critical leadership skills. These skills integrate nicely to the leadership competencies identified as important leadership competencies in the Army study.
To request additional information about how the PsyMax Solutions Leadership Perception Profiler (LPP) can help you develop leaders within your company, please go to www.psymaxsolutions.com/campaigns/lppinfo.asp
4. Public Eye: PsyMax Solutions in the News
- PsyMax Solutions' Fred Elabed Featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Fred Elabed's entrepreneurial experience was discussed in the “Business Monday” section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on June 27, 2005. In this article, Fred discusses how his business turned around when he hired the right people for the right jobs. Read this full story.
- PsyMax Solutions' Website Wins Award. PsyMax Solutions' website was one of the recipients of the 2005 Horizon Interactive Awards for outstanding web design. For more information on The Horizon Interactive Awards, visit their website.
- PsyMax Solutions exhibited at the Fast-Growing HR Star Conference. The HR Star Conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio on July 27, 2005. “The event was a definite success for PsyMax Solutions. I want to thank Braden Albert, President of HR Star for inviting PsyMax Solutions to participate in the conference” says Fred Elabed of PsyMax Solutions. To know more about the HR Star Conference, visit their website.
About PsyMax Solutions
PsyMax Solutions offers an on-demand and integrated Human Capital website that provides world class assessment, interviewing, development, coaching, career, and 360° reports and programs for employees and managers. The PsyMax Solutions product suite is based on the work of psychologists who have conducted and written reports for over 20,000 managers. Our product suite generates results equal in quality, but at a fraction of the cost.
The PsyMax Solutions product suite is ready for immediate use without time-consuming and expensive consulting and IT set-up costs. In minutes you can create your own customized Human Capital website and use our integrated product suite to align your recruitment and development processes. To learn more about PsyMax Solutions, please visit us on the web at www.psymaxsolutions.com, e-mail us at info@psymaxsolutions.com, or call us at 866.774.2273.