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Assess your management and leadership skills

As a business leader or manager, you take a keen interest in your team’s performance — but it’s also important to think about your own practices. Great leaders often reflect on and refine the way they work. Our quick self-assessment tool will shed light on your strengths and the areas you should focus on. By the end, you will have practical steps and expert advice to hone your management and leadership skills.

Discover how your approach to management and leadership works for your business, and if it could be holding you back. If you’re experienced or just learning the ropes, find out where you need to focus to boost your business.

At the end of this assessment you’ll get:

  • a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses
  • practical tips and tools
  • links to expert advice.

5-10 minutes

Find out where to focus

Leadership styles

constructionworkers

Did you know...

Leadership styles directly affect working atmosphere and financial performance, according to research by Daniel Goleman, PhD.

I have thought about the leadership style I use most often.

Trust and fairness

Tool group talking

Did you know...

Seeking input from your team can build trust. A study by Interaction Associates found businesses with a high level of trust perform 2.5 times better in revenue generation than those with low trust.

I ask my team for their thoughts about big changes to my business.

Performance issues

people at desk

Did you know...

A large-scale international experiment found spending time and money developing the skills of employees had a 250% return on investment.

I’ve thought about how I can help if an employee isn’t performing well in their role.

Trust and fairness

woman business planning

Did you know...

Some rewards or entitlements should be given equitably, eg performance bonuses. Others should be given equally, eg annual leave. Understanding the difference helps a business make fair decisions, which builds trust. — Julia Richardson, NZ Business Performance Panel

I’ve thought about when to give staff rewards and entitlements based on what each person deserves, and when to give everyone the same.

Leadership styles

builder and businessman

Did you know...

The best performing businesses are led by people who change their leadership style in different situations, according to research reported in the Harvard Business Review.

I change the way I lead people depending on what is happening in my business.

Performance-based management

Two farmers

Did you know...

Many businesses are switching from rigid annual reviews to regular check-ins that help people steadily improve.

I meet with employees to discuss their performance about:

Communication and feedback

Tool workers talking

Did you know...

Delegating effectively is key to small business success and growth, according to research by Churchill and Lewis.

When I assign tasks, the outcomes are exactly as I hoped they would be.

Workplace culture

group of people

Did you know...

Good workplace culture reduces staff stress, anxiety and fatigue — all three are most common in New Zealand businesses with 1-5 employees.

My approach to company culture is best described as:

Performance-based management

Tool new employee

Did you know...

The NZ Business Performance Panel says there’s a risk of losing star employees if they aren’t recognised for their contribution.

I know what to do when an employee is going above and beyond what is expected.

Communication and feedback

constructionworkers

Did you know...

If employees feel too harshly criticised, 48% decide to put less effort into their work, according to research reported in the Harvard Business Review.

After I give critical feedback to an employee, their behaviour:

Workplace culture

business woman

Did you know...

Culture has an impact on revenue because it affects competitive edge, staff retention, morale, and reputation. — Julia Richardson, NZ Business Performance Panel

I see a link between company culture and business revenue.

Motivating people

Tool man at desk

Did you know...

For goals to be meaningful and effective in motivating employees, they must be tied to larger organisational ambitions. — Amy Gallo, author of Guide to Dealing with Conflict

I know what my employees’ goals are.

Performance issues

workers with digger

Did you know...

Employees who aren’t given a chance to complete tasks themselves can feel undermined or undervalued, and may lose interest in their job. — Naomi Shragai, Financial Times

When an employee is struggling with a task, I find myself doing it for them to save time.

Motivating people

people at desk

Did you know...

Understanding an employee’s personality helps a leader get the best from them. — Julia Richardson, New Zealand Business Performance Panel

I give feedback or instruction to employees based on my knowledge of their personality.

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