4.5 Global Transformational Leadership Scale (GTL)
Purpose
The Global Transformation Leadership Scale (GTL) aims to be a practical and easily administered tool that captures the key behaviors associated with transformational leadership. The instrument measures behaviors such as communicating a vision, developing staff, providing support, empowering staff, being innovative, leading by example, and being charismatic. Unlike other instruments that assess a range of leadership styles, the GTL focuses solely on transformational leadership.
The instrument was developed for use with leaders, as assessed by their subordinates.
Description
The GTL was developed by Carless, Wearing, and Mann in 2000. It consists of seven items. The GTL has been found to have strong reliability and validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have supported its single construct measurement of transformational leadership. The instrument has a score range of 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating extensive use of transformational leadership behaviors. In a sample of 1,440 subordinates assessing the leadership behavior of 695 branch managers in a large Australian financial organization, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed that the GTL measures a single construct of leadership with satisfactory reliability. The instrument showed a high level of internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .93. The GTL also exhibited strong convergent validity when compared to other leadership measures, such as the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and MLQ. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported its validity, with factor loadings ranging from .78 to .88 and correlations with other leadership measures (LPI and MLQ) ranging from .76 to .88.
Access
The GTL may be 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
Carless, S. A., Wearing, A. J., & Mann, L. (2000). Global Transformational Leadership Scale (GTL) [Database record]. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t54656-000
