The Leadership Compass Self-Assessment - Goals and Work Style Approaches

Oct 16, 2026

A self-assessment tool designed to help teams develop shared vocabulary and thinking for collaborating across different work styles. It guides participants to identify their dominant decision-making style by marking statements that fit how they usually make choices at work, then counting checks per section. The document explains core assumptions and focuses on four approaches—Action, Vision, Empathy, and Analytical—highlighting how each style can create both positive and negative impacts when taken to excess.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Goals

Basic assumptions

Instructions

Approaches to work/work style

North—Action

East—Vision

South—Empathy

West—Analytical

The Leadership Compass Self-Assessment “When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” —audre lorde Goals • Give us a vocabulary and a way of thinking about working with each other in our teams • Deepen our appreciation of everyone’s different work styles • Understand the need for a variety of work styles • Reflect on our own individual work styles and identify areas for growth • Understand the negative and positive impacts of each style taken to excess • Learn the qualities we can develop to become better leaders Basic assumptions • We will categorize ourselves into the work style that fits us best at work • No one is purely one style, rather everyone typically has portions of all styles • For this discussion we will pick one that fits us best at work • All comments will be directed towards a work style, not a person with the qualities of that direction instructions 1. Read each of the statements on the following pages. 2. Place a check mark in the box next to the statements that apply to how you make choices and decisions at work. 3. Each of these statements will apply to all of us some of the time; we are interested in knowing which of these statements represent you most of the time. 4. Count the total number of check marks on each section and place that number in the star shape to the right of the section. 5. The section with the highest number in the star shape is your dominant decision-making style. Building intentional Communities © 2 0 1 0 Be the Change Consulting The LeadeRship Compass seLf-assessmenT, ConTinued North—Action approaches to Work/Work style I am usually assertive, active, and decisive. I like to determine the course of events and be in control of professional relationships. I am quick to act and express a sense of urgency for others to act. I enjoy challenges presented by difficult situations and people. I think in terms of the bottom line or results. I like a quick pace and fast track. I persevere and am not stopped by hearing “No”; I probe and press to get at hidden resistances. I likes variety, novelty, and new projects. I am comfortable being in front of a room or crowd. Some of my value-oriented words phrases include “Do it now!,” “I’ll do it!,” and “What’s the bottom line?” \# of CheCked Boxes in NorTh East—Vision approaches to Work/Work style I am a visionary who sees the big picture. I am a generative and creative thinker; I am able to think outside the box. I am very idea-oriented and focus on future thought. I make decisions by standing in the future. I usually have insight into mission and purpose. I look for overarching themes and ideas. I am adept at problem-solving. I like to experiment and explore new ways of doing things. I appreciate a lot of information. My value-oriented words are “option,” “possibility,” and “imagine.” \# of CheCked Boxes in EAST Building intentional Communities © 2 0 1 0 Be the Change Consulting The LeadeRship Compass seLf-assessmenT, ConTinued South—Empathy approaches to Work/Work style I understand how people need to receive information in order to act upon it. I integrate others’ input in determining the direction of what’s happening. I am value-driven regarding aspects of professional life. I use professional relationships to accomplish tasks and interaction is primary to me. I am supportive of colleagues and peers. I have a willingness to take others’ statements at face value. I am feeling-based and trust my own emotions and intuition. I believe my intuition and emotions are regarded as truth. I am receptive to others’ ideas; I am a team player; I build on the ideas of others. I am generally non-competitive. I am able to focus on the present moment. My value-oriented words are “right” and “fair.” west—Analytical

FAQs

How is the dominant decision-making style determined?

Mark the statements that apply to how you usually make choices and decisions at work. Count the check marks in each section, then the section with the highest number in the star shape is your dominant style.

What assumptions guide this Leadership Compass self-assessment?

You are categorized into the work style that fits you best at work, but no one is purely one style. Comments are directed toward work styles, not toward individuals’ personal qualities.

What are the four work style approaches included?

The document describes North—Action, East—Vision, South—Empathy, and West—Analytical, each with characteristic behaviors and value-oriented phrases.

Oct 16, 2026

Uploaded by Blue Pony