Cathy Dundas, an intercultural strategist working with Texas Baptists, completed an Instrument Assessment as part of her work toward a PhD in Leadership Studies from
Basden-Johnson Spiritual Gifts Analysis
Two pastors studied spiritual gifts throughout scripture and created the Basden-Johnson Analysis, as resources for discovering spiritual gifts in
How it works: Answer 108 questions based on 18 identified gifts. Self-scoring helps the participant understand highest rated gifts according to scripture.
Recommendation: The test is recommended for Christians seeking to understand their giftedness. The questions are from the 1980s and use older Baptist phrasing and concepts. This will apply well for traditional Baptists. Authors recommend usage with mature Christians.
Cost: 1-10, $1.95 each, 11-49, $1.75, 50-99, $1.50, 100-299, $1.25
Contact Information: Gift Based Ministry, Inc., Attn: Lee Johnson,
Uniquely You/ DISC
Spiritual gifts discovery as well as personality type discovery direct the purpose of the Uniquely You inventory. Several versions are offered, including varying numbers of spiritual gifts, 7, 9, 16 or 23. The instrument has a stated goal of helping the
How it works: Identify spiritual gifts by completing a 128 question survey and plot results. DISC test is made up of 96 forced choice questions and plot results on two graphs. See how the individual behaves according to what is expected and how he or she really behaves. Overall results are combined for a unique “behavioral blend.”
Recommendation: This test is recommended for Christians of any phase in life. It effectively blends personality type and gifting to lead a believer to create an action plan for service. The packet is somewhat time consuming and needs follow up action to make it effective.
Cost: 8.50 each for 1-99, $6.50 each for 100-199, $5.50 each for 200 - 499 or $5.00 each for 500 or more
Contact Information: Uniquely You Resources, PO Box 490, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, Order at: 800-501-0490, www.myuy.com
Leadership Practices Inventory
James Kouzes and Barry Bosner conducted extensive qualitative research to determine the best leadership practices of ordinary leaders. From these studies, they identified five practices of exemplary leadership, i.e. Model the way, Inspire a shared vision, Challenge the process, Enable others to act, and Encourage the heart. The authors offer personal consulting as well as a multitude of books and variations of the inventory.
How it works: Participants take a self inventory with questions about typical leadership practices, while a number of observers rate the leader as well.
Recommendation: This is highly recommended for leaders in any setting. It is a very simple test to complete and offers a detailed feedback report.
Cost: 1 self instrument costs $7.50, Package of 1 self instrument with 8 observer instruments, a workbook and planner is $57.00. Wide range of workbooks, facilitator’s guides, etc. offer different pricing options. A traditional paper version as well as an online version are available for order at the Leadership Challenge website.
Contact Information:
Global Executive Leadership Index
Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries developed his instrument in order to determine the extent a leader possesses 12 critical factors for leadership, particularly with a global perspective. Primarily focused on leaders in business, the questions and phrases involve relevant situations in that setting.
How it works: As a 360 degree instrument, self and observers complete a 100 question survey of leadership abilities. Results are tabulated and an in-depth feedback report offers steps for improvement.
Recommendation: This is a relatively new instrument and is focused on business leaders in its questions. It is recommended, but to be taken with that understanding in mind. It offers a global measurement that most tests do not include.
Cost: GELI participant workbook, including self inventory and facilitator’s guide sells for $10.00
Contact Information: Learn about administering the GELI at www.gelionline.com, or order copies at www.pfieffer.com or calling 800-274-4434.
Myers Briggs
Dr. Carl Jung developed a personality typology in the 1920s to help individuals understand how they relate to others as defined by their biological motivation. Myers and Briggs added a final category to his research and created their personality inventory. The test requires interpretive assistance as the letters themselves are difficult to understand.
How it works: A 93 question test is taken with a template form and is scored by an authorized professional. Results are given as a personality type such as E, N, T, J (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Justice).
Recommendation: Myers Briggs is used in every imaginable setting and offers feedback for how group members interact. This is recommended for marriage counseling, professional groups and ministry teams.
Cost: Myers Briggs Foundation refers to an online version including live feedback for $150.00; Practitioners must be qualified to administer the MBTI. Online versions offer various adaptations of the same principles.
Contact Information:
http://www.myersbriggs.org/ - Foundation Site
http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html - Sites such as this one offer extensive information about personality types related to Myers Briggs
NEO Personality Inventory
Dr. Robert McCrae and Dr. Paul Costa added to previous research in the area of personality research by including five components of development. These five traits are Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Contentiousness with scores ranging from “very low” to “very high”.
How it works: Participant completes 240 questions and results are scored to determine an overall personality profile.
Recommendation: This is a lengthy, in-depth survey which provides an equally in-depth interpretation. This test must be administered and ordered by a licensed therapist, so it is recommended for those with access to psychological tests.
Cost: Package of 10 re-useable booklets, $36.00; Package of 25 answer sheets, $38.00; Professional’s Manual, $40.00
Contact Information: Psychological Assessment Resources,
Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
The TKI assesses an individual’s method of resolving conflict when there seems to be an impasse. The measures fall on two continuums of assertiveness and cooperativeness in handling stress and conflict situations.
How it works: Participants choose one statement for each of the 30 questions and self score their results. Modes of conflict are graphed to determine high and low modes.
Recommendation: This test is recommended in order to know more about a person’s conflict management tendencies, but not highly. The interpretation is limited to extreme scores and does not offer an extensive range of follow up information.
Cost: $11.25 each, package of 10 for $106.75
Contact Information: CPP, Inc.,
Coping Responses Inventory
CRI measures eight coping responses and informs the individual of their predominant style of coping behaviors. These eight elements include Logical Analysis (LA), Seeking Guidance (SG), Problem Solving (PS), Cognitive Avoidance (CA), Acceptance or Resignation (AR), Seeking Alternative Rewards (SR), Emotional Discharge (ED) and Positive Reappraisal (PR).
How it works: Participants choose a problem to evaluate and answer 58 questions based on how they handled the specific situation. The template is scored and interpreted by a trained professional therapist.
Recommendation: This is highly recommended for leaders to understand how they cope with stressors. It must be carried out by a professional, possibly limiting access to the test.
Cost: CRI-Adult, package of 10 re-useable booklets, $21.00; CRI-Youth, package of 10 re-usable booklets, $21.00; Variations of Actual and Ideal and facilitator’s guides available
Contact Information: Psychological Assessment Resources,
Phillips Communication Style Inventory
This instrument informs the individual of his or her communication pattern and how that method affects others with whom they relate. Aggressive, Avoiding, Accommodating and Collaborative represent four categories of communication styles according to Kenneth Phillips.
How it works: 24 forced choice questions help the participant understand primary styles of communication. This offers four choices rather than the TKI which adds a fifth category.
Recommendation: This is an easy test to complete and score, as well as understand the communication styles involved. An action plan and specific questions for improvement are included in the test. It is highly recommended for leaders in any setting.
Cost: Self version, 1-99 copies $8.00 each; Other version, 1-99 copies, $3.25 each; Follow up version 1-99 copies $7.50 each; Facilitator’s Guide, $30.00
Contact Information: Philips Associates,
Emotional Intelligence Test – Psychtests.com
Based on early work on social intelligence, Dr. Jerabek of psychtests.com designed this instrument to examine elements of emotional intelligence such as social insight and empathy, emotional insight into self and goal orientation and motivation. 114 different tests are available on the website.
How it works: Participants take the test online and receive immediate feedback. Results are graphed and demonstrate various elements of emotional intelligence.
Recommendation: This test is not highly recommended. It can offer general information in its feedback related to improving emotional intelligence factors.
Cost: Several tests are offered as a free online version, but a base cost is charged for unlimited use of the site for a period of time. Academics can pay a $120.00 yearly cost to utilize the website, or unique arrangements at a discounted rate. After a $120.00 base cost, an additional $10 per test is charged to the account (decreasing with a larger order).
Contact Information:
Kingdomality
Foundational theory for this instrument derives from experience by two school counselors in their career counseling experience. Authors use this instrument in corporate settings and it is available on line for any person to take quickly. Compared to other tests in the class, this instrument lacks a research base and developmental theory in order to make it valid.
How it works: Participants take the free online test and quickly receive a summary of results. The results indicate a type of personality within the “kingdom” that the individual may be.
Recommendation: This is recommended for a fun exercise and possibly to understand members of a group. It should not be taken as authoritative, but can be an interesting test to take. There is no cost, why not?
Cost: Free
Contact Information:
http://www.cmi-lmi.com/kingdomality.html
Career Management International