A Leadership Test

January 23, 2012 by Kim.

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope this finds you raring and eager to go on a new year, new projects, and new adventures.

I’ve been wondering, why isn’t there a certification test for leaders like there is for project managers? The project management certifications are rigorous and assure that at least you understand the principles, terminology, and processes regarding sound project management. I’m proposing a leadership certification test that will help assure our leaders have a heart, have a conscious, and care about their customers and employees. It seems every day I hear about poor leadership, the leadership void, and laments on how our leaders are not leaders at all but dictators. They pay lip service to the “open door policy” and “share your ideas for innovation and efficiencies” and never enact a single suggestion nor really listen when an employee has an idea or an issue to resolve. I think the certification test for leadership positions should go something like this:

1.   Do you believe employees are guilty until proven innocent? 

2.   Do you often steal ideas from employees and all the while tell them the idea is not worth implementing and then implement it anyway and tell your boss it was your idea?

3.   Do you take credit for other people’s work? 

4.   Do you have a lack of concern for customer service and go out of your way to avoid getting their input on our services?

5.   Do you take credit for the good your work team has accomplished and punish the team when it doesn’t go so well? 

6.   Do you ridicule and demean your employees in front of others? 

7.   Do you strip your employees of all ability and authority to resolve problems and make decisions on their own? 

8.   Do you laugh when employees ask you a genuine question they don’t know the answer to? 

9.   Do you dance around the answers to difficult questions, particularly questions employees ask about their future in the organization? 

10. Do you actively avoid showing appreciation to your employees? 

11. Do you believe employees are your greatest liability? 

12. Do you believe your company would have a great reputation if it weren’t for your employees?

What happens when you work in an environment where leaders not only answer, but act in a way that’s opposite of what these questions suggest? You get employees who feel appreciated and valued, you get meaningful suggestions regarding work processes and customer interactions, and you gain loyalty and dedication to your mission. Being a leader isn’t difficult. But it does take discipline and dedication in putting your employees and customers first. Take the leadership certification test and see how you score. What are your team members and employees saying about you?

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