¶ … Leadership Trait Questionnaire (LTQ) is based on trait theory of leadership, which suggests that individuals possess specific personality or behavioral traits conducive to leadership like expressiveness, sensitivity, and determination. The questionnaire does not measure one's efficacy or effectiveness as a leader. Rather, the questionnaire is designed to measure self-perceptions and perceptions of others. Because it takes into account both self-reports and the perceptions of others measured on the same scale, the LTQ is robust and reflects prevailing literature that shows that personality assessed using both self and observer ratings explains more variance in leadership than self ratings of personality alone," (Colbert, Judge, Choi & Wang, 2012, p. 670). Answers on the LTQ will reflect more about the leadership style one exhibits than one's innate abilities or prior successes as a leader. Some of the qualities listed on the LTQ include self-confidence, trustworthiness, and sensitivity. Most of the qualities on the questionnaire are ones that I predicted I would have and also predicted others would rate highly in me. There were fewer differences between what others had perceived and what I perceived in myself, revealing...

Completing the questionnaire also highlighted the core elements of my personal leadership philosophy. For example, my personal leadership philosophy is grounded in ethical principles. I do not seek power as an end in itself. Rather, I prefer to emulate leaders who empower those around them and bring out the best in other people. Likewise, I believe that strong leaders have strong emotional intelligence and are able to have empathy with those around them. My personal leadership style is democratic in nature, but I do aspire to become more of a servant leader as I mature. I believe that servant leaders truly possess the ability to motivate others and create change even in difficult or challenging scenarios.
Surprised to learn that others do think as highly of me as I do of myself, I will endeavor to improve some of the traits in which I scored relatively low. For example, I called out once or twice for being insensitive and also for lacking the willingness to be as perfectionistic about tasks as I could be, and thus not as conscientious as I should be in order to ensure maximum success. These are elements of my personality and behavior that I can work on and change. Just as…