2.2.4 Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ & LBDQXII)
Purpose
The Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ & LBDQXII) is designed to assess 12 dimensions of leadership behavior: representation, demand reconciliation, tolerance of uncertainty, persuasiveness, initiation of structure, tolerance of freedom, role assumption, consideration, production emphasis, predictive accuracy, integration, and superior orientation (Soderholm et al., 2020). The test results are valuable for various organizational stakeholders, including leaders, HR professionals, leadership coaches, and consultants. Insights provided by results can be used to (Bass et al., 1990):
Evaluate leadership effectiveness
Provide targeted feedback
Design tailored development programs
Optimize team dynamics and performance
Description
The Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ & LBDQ XII) was developed by Ralph Melvin Stogdill, a renowned psychologist and leadership scholar associated with the University of Ohio. The questionnaire typically consists of 100 Likert-type questions. Respondents rate statements related to leadership behavior on a scale, indicating the extent to which each statement applies to their own behavior or the behavior of a leader they are assessing. The LBDQ & LBDQ XII include statements like: “Listens to suggestions from group members” (consideration) and “Clarifies the roles of group members” (initiating structure).
The LBDQXII has been extensively studied and tested over time, demonstrating its validity and reliability across various organizational settings. The internal consistency of the instrument, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, ranges from .59 to .85, indicating a moderate to high level of reliability. That said, its length is problematic. Warner-Soderholm et al. (2020) proposed a shorter 50-item version of the LBDQXII, asserting comparable scores across all 12 factors when compared to the original 100-item version.
Access
This link provides access to the tool: https://fisher.osu.edu/centers-partnerships/leadership/leader-behavior-description-questionnaire-lbdq. It is also accessible via academic journals and research databases, including in the relevant articles listed in the references section. Prior to usage, permission from the authors or copyright holders may be necessary. Contact the authors directly or consult the articles for more information on the availability and permissions.
References
Bass, B. M., Avolio, B. J., & Atchison, J. (1990). Multidimensional assessment of leadership. In B. M. Bass (Ed.), Bass & Stogdill’s handbook of leadership: Theory, research, and managerial applications (3rd ed., pp. 79–108). Free Press.
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.
Stogdill, R. M. (1956). The Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire. Research Studies, 24(4), 297–308.
Shartle, C. L., & Stogdill, R. M. (1955). Methods in the Study of: Administrative Leadership. Bureau of Business Research, Ohio State University.
Warner-Soderholm, G., Minelgaite, I., & Littrell, R. F. (2020). From LBDQXII to LBDQ50: Preferred leader behavior measurement across cultures. Journal of Management Development, 39(1), 68–81.
