The Leadership Archetype Questionnaire (LAQ) is based on the belief that an individualistic notion of leadership is inadequate, given the increased complexity of the work environment. Although the "Great Man or Woman" theories still linger, most scholars of leadership now recognize that successful organizations are characterized by a distributive, collective, complementary form of leadership.

To further explore this form of leadership, eight leadership archetypes have been defined:

• Strategist
• Change-catalyst
• Transactor
• Builder
• Innovator
• Processor
• Coach
• Communicator

These archetypes are representations of ways of leading in the complex organizational environment. They are prototypes that provide us with models for understanding leadership behavior. By completing the LAQ leaders should be able to identity their own leadership archetype characteristics.

Clinical research revealed that although individuals may "drift" toward one particular archetype, it is more common for a person to possess the characteristics of a number of archetypes; "hybrids" are the rule rather that the exception. It is important to keep in mind that each of these leadership archetypes will prove more or less effective depending on the organizational situation; therefor the ideal executive team should include people with diverse dominant leadership archetype characteristics. An executive team in which multiple leadership archetypes are represented should be able to cover all the leadership needs that are requires, whatever the context.

This abbreviated version of the LAQ only calculates results based on your personal observations. The LAQ is most effective and informative with peers, supervisors and subordinates also fill in the questionnaire with their observations, thus providing you with a more complete assessment of your leadership characteristics. For the full 360° version of the LAQ, click here.