ABOUT THE LECTICAL LEADERSHIP REASONING ASSESSMENT*

The LLRA is an assessment of reasoning about leadership. It examines how individuals think about a range of leadership qualities and how these relate to their overall conception of a good leader.

General information

For adolescents (12+) and adults

The LLRA asks test-takers to write short essays about four self-chosen leadership qualities (selected from a set of pull-down menus). It then asks them to discuss how these qualities work together to define great leadership.

The LLRA can be custiomized by specifying the qualities test-takers will write about. For example, if you are ecaluating a particular curriculum, you can ask clients to write about the specific categories/qualities targeted by that curriculum.

The LLRA must be completed in a single sitting. Please ask clients to set aside an hour to complete the assessment. They should also carefully read the assessment instructions before they begin writing to ensure that they receive their best score and don't accidentally lose their work due to a lost internet connection.

Check it out

You can examine the LLRA by logging on to the DTS site and choosing select an assessment, under the "take an assessment" item in the main menu on the left. You will need to enter information into the starred fields before you will be allowed to move from one page of the assessment to the next. Feel free to cut and paste blocks of random text into the essay fields.

Reliability and validity

The LLRA, like all Lectical Assessments, reliably distinguishes 8–10 adult developmental phases, where each phase represents 1/4 of a developmental level. All Lectical Assessments have very similar levels of reliability, because they are scored with the same developmental assessment system, the LAS.

Lectical assessments address two broad forms of validity: construct validity and ecological validity. First, like all Lectical Assessments, the LLRA is scored with the LAS, which is (1) based on a strong theory of development called Dynamic Skill Theory, and (2) has been submitted to a number of rigorous tests of its ability to capture the developmental construct described in that theory. These tests have shown that the LAS does a very good job capturing this dimension. To view the evidence, see the refereed papers under the articles tab on the articles page and articles by our colleagues on the leadership references page.

Second, the ecological validity of the LLRA is apparent in the relevance of (1) its content—its questions are about leadership; (2) the skills required to complete it—skills for thinking about leadership, perspective-taking, clear thinking, communicating, and critical reflection; and (3) the scores and feedback provided in its reports.

To learn more about reliability and validity, see Dr. Dawson's blog.

Reports

Lectical assessments are distinguished by the accuracy of LAS scores and the quality of our feedback. Before we launch a Lectical Assessment, we carefully review the relevant research literature, then study how the skills and concepts targeted by the assessment develop over time, using a research methodology called developmental maieutics. The approach allows us to describe what targeted skills and concepts "look like" in each developmental phase, and to craft feedback and learning suggestions that are specific to each phase of performance.

In addition to general feedback related to the phase of a given performance, each LLRA report includes personal feedback, including comments on strengths and areas for growth and suggestions for learning and development.

Reports are generally delivered within 5–7 business days. We send an email notification each time an assessment is finalized.

View sample reports.

Resellers

If you are interested in using the LLRA in your business or practice, please contact us for more information.

*You must be 18 or older to take this assessment without the supervision of a mentor, teacher, counselor, or physician who is registered with DTS.