The LPI®: Leadership Practices Inventory® Assessment
The Leadership Practices Inventory® (LPI®) is a leadership assessment tool that is based on research conducted by Kouzes and Posner for their book, The Leadership Challenge. It is the most widely used assessment tool for leaders today. It measures how frequently you engage in 30 leadership behaviors using a 10-point scale.
The Leadership Practices Inventory measures a leader’s effectiveness by asking both the leader and observers to rate the frequency with which the leader exhibits 30 essential behaviors. Each behavior statement is cast on a ten-point Likert scale from almost never to almost always. Kouzes and Posner’s research finds that the more frequently the leader is observed demonstrating these essential behaviors, the more effective they are as a leader.
Numerous studies have shown that the internal reliability of the LPI remains consistent across a wide range of sample populations, including those from diverse occupations and organizations. Research involving non-U.S. populations has also revealed that internal reliabilities are robust. In studies utilizing non-English language versions of the LPI, researchers have reported strong internal reliabilities. Learn more about reliability.
Used to measure The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®, the acclaimed leadership development model created by Kouzes and Posner, the LPI® 360 is an observer-based assessment that enables leaders to assess their leadership competencies with real-world feedback and act on their discoveries. Leaders rate themselves on 30 specific behaviors, while 8–10 chosen observers (managers, peers, direct reports) do the same. All ratings are confidential (except the manager’s) and use a 10-point scale to indicate how often they see the leader exhibit each behavior. By comparing self-perceptions to external perspectives, the LPI 360 offers a comprehensive view of leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
Who participates is up to you. We recommend that you invite 8–12 people to provide feedback. Here are the categories of observers you’ll be asked to provide:
- Manager – Your direct supervisor
- Coworkers – Colleagues who report to your supervisor
- Direct Reports – Team members who report to you
- Others – Colleagues for projects, external customers, volunteer organizations, etc.
Participant feedback is anonymous, with the exception of the leader’s manager.
Based on the data-driven framework of The Five Practices, the LPI Self Empowered™ is a self-assessment designed to help leaders assess their leadership competencies and learn the next steps they can take to grow as a leader. Leaders rate themselves on 30 proven behaviors using a 10-point scale to indicate how often they exhibit each behavior. The resulting report provides personalized narrative feedback, activities, and a development guide to help leaders at any level take the next step toward becoming an exemplary leader.
Used to measure The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the acclaimed leadership development model created by Kouzes and Posner, the LPI® Self is a self-assessment that enables leaders to assess their leadership competencies and act on their discoveries. Leaders rate themselves on 30 proven behaviors on a 10-point scale to indicate how often they exhibit each behavior. The resulting report offers a view of leadership strengths and areas for improvement, along with reflection exercises to further the learning.
The Student LPI® Self is the companion self-assessment to The Student Leadership Challenge book and can unlock student’s leadership potential by measuring their leadership behaviors using The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership model and equipping them with critical development insights.
The Student Leadership Practices Inventory® 360 is an observer-based assessment that enables students to assess their leadership competencies against Kouzes and Posner’s acclaimed leadership development model, The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. Students rate themselves on 30 specific behaviors, while 8–10 chosen observers (mentors, educators, and peers) do the same. All ratings are confidential and use a 5-point scale to indicate how often they see the leader exhibit each behavior. The resulting report provides the student with developmental insights and real-world feedback to help them act on their discoveries as they begin their leadership journey.
The LPI 360, LPI Self, and Student 360 are available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, and Simplified Chinese. All other online assessments (LPI Self Empowered and Student Self) are available only in English.
After you take the LPI, you will receive a detailed report that outlines your strengths and weaknesses in each of The Five Practices. You can then use this information to develop a personalized leadership development plan. For maximum impact, the LPI should be paired with a facilitated learning experience or guided coaching. Learn more about our workshop experiences here.
To order, contact our team at 1-866-888-5159 or email [email protected]. You can also purchase the assessment online.
For assistance with the Leadership Practices Inventory or LPI Online, visit our online support center.