LEADS
Leadership Enhancement and Development System
LEADS (Leadership Enhancement and Development System) is a Web-based tool designed to facilitate the collection of assessment data for professional development purposes. LEADS is a 360-degreeWeb-based multi-reader assessment tool used for leadership development. In the LEADS program raters/recipients are selected to provide objective feedback for specific participants (manager/leader). Typically raters include the participant's supervisor or superior, peers, colleagues, direct reports and additional internal or external constituents. The participant is also involved in the LEADS process by providing his/her own self ratings.
See a flowchart of how LEADS works.
LEADS is a confidential assessment tool, not a performance evaluation tool.
360 Leadership Assessment
Sometimes referred to as multi-rater assessments or multi-source feedback, 360-degree assessments are commonly used for leadership development. In a 360-degree assessment, raters are selected to provide feedback for a particular manager, supervisor or leader. Raters commonly represent views from many distinct perspectives. Managers or leaders also participate by providing their own unique self ratings.
Purpose
The LEADS program measures traits and abilities indicative of effective leaders. Leadership is generally defined as the ability to establish direction, develop a vision of the future and communicate direction to others. Leadership also includes the ability to motivate and inspire people, keeping people moving in the right direction by appealing to basic human needs, values and emotions.
Results
At the conclusion of the LEADS assessment process all the information is compiled into a final report that compares the participant's ratings with those of the raters he or she has chosen. Ratings from each rater group are aggregated and compiled by subject area into a leadership profile report. This profile provides a comparison of the ratings provided by persons within each rater group. Results are presented as anonymous when multiple raters are included within each rater group. This confidential report can be used as the basis for continued professional development. Additionally the participant can seek assistance from a LEADS advisor.
Use the LEADS Advisor?
Information regarding one's leadership style and effectiveness can be both positive and negative. It is helpful to have a neutral person to review the results of the assessment. The LEADS advisor can also assist participants in developing strategies to identify or improve areas revealed in the LEADS assessment. The LEADS advisor is also aware of other campus resources that are available to assist participants. It is important for LEADS participants to have support during the professional development process. Meetings with the LEADS advisor are confidential.