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SHAPE of LEADERSHIP SURVEY

by Sarah Emery Clark, published January 2025

So glad you’re here! Citizen science is a powerful tool for inspiring change. Below, you can learn more about common styles and qualities of leadership, and reflect on your own leadership strengths. Fill out the anonymous survey to see what shape your leadership takes!

First, imagine yourself as a leader…

You don’t have to be a powerful politician or the CEO of a company to be a leader. You might be a teacher, a community organizer, a teammate, or a student. The best leaders are always learning, growing, and listening. Use the drop-down menus below to learn more about the different styles and qualities of leadership, and see how they’ll be represented in your unique icon.

LEADERSHIP STYLES

click the arrows to learn about each unique leadership style… you’ll be choosing ONE that best represents you in the survey.

  • Autocratic leaders make decisions without seeking input from others. This leadership style is rarely effective and can lead to poor morale.

    eg. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

  • Democratic leadership encourages collaboration in decision-making, and promotes transparency and inclusiveness.

    eg. Nelson Mandela, Activist /Politician, S. Africa (1918-2013)

  • Transformational leadership inspires and motivates people toward long-term change. These leaders encourage innovation and drive major social and economic change.

    eg. Mahatma Gandhi. Lawyer/Political Ethicist (1869-1948)

  • Transactional leadership focuses on meeting standards and fulfilling goals. It emphasizes rules and performance over innovation.

    eg. Bill Gates, co-founder Microsoft

  • Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of citizens. Leaders serve and support their teams to foster community. Servant leadership builds strong, empathetic relationships.

    eg. Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President (1809-1865)

  • Laissez-faire leadership encourages autonomy. Leaders take a hands-off approach, allowing others to lead. It’s common in creative industries where professionals are trusted to manage their own work. This approach also works well in areas like education or public health.

    eg. Queen Victoria, former Queen of the UK (1819-1901)

  • Charismatic leaders create strong emotional connections with followers. They drive passion and inspire movements, but can create dependency on the leader.

    eg. Barack Obama, 44th US President

  • Strategic leaders focus on long-term goals, such as national reforms or foreign policy, ensuring direction in complex, high-level decision-making. These leaders focus on long-term growth and positioning.

    eg. Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany

  • Coaching leaders mentor and develop future leaders, fostering personal growth and learning. It is often used to develop talent and enhance skills in employee-focused organizations as it promotes individual growth and team success.

    eg. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

  • Emergent leaders arise from grassroots movements or crises, often outside of traditional power structures. Often seen in social justice movements, these leaders rise organically, gaining influence through expertise or problem-solving.

    eg. adrienne marie brown, Writer/Activist

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LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

click the arrows to learn about each unique leadership quality… you’ll be choosing THREE that best represent you in the survey.

  • Emotional intelligence encompasses many qualities, like self-awareness, empathy, and conflict resolution. It is a foundational skill for leadership effectiveness.

  • An effective communicator conveys ideas clearly and listens to others.

  • Strategic thinking involves the ability to plan for long-term goals and foresee potential obstacles.

  • A leader who is accountable takes responsibility for their actions and outcomes.

  • An inclusive leader actively ensures that everyones’ voices are heard and valued, especially in diverse environments. It includes dismantling bias and creating equitable opportunities.

  • A leaders who empowers others emphasizes the distribution of power over autocratic decision-making. An empowering leader sees the strengths and abilities.of others and delegates responsibility.

  • A Visionary thinker sets clear and inspiring long-term goals.

  • Leaders who are good at problem solving are able to quickly identify solutions to challenges.

  • If you’re able to manage and resolve disputes effectively, then you’re good at conflict resolution.

  • A courageous leader is one who is willing to make difficult decisions or face challenges, even when it's uncomfortable.

Next, fill out the leadership survey

Your response will generate an icon that represents YOU AS A LEADER. At this time, icons update several times a day. Check the Leaderboard to find and share your shape!

the Leadership Survey

at this time, visualizations update three times per day. After submitting, you’ll be redirected to the project website.

Thanks for participating!

This project began as an exploration of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals with the team at infogr8, as part of their Future Fridays programming.

This work necessitates a deeper acknowledgement to the Pentlatch, E’iksan, Sahtloot and Sasitla First Peoples, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this ancestral, unceded territory I call home. I encourage all participants to challenge the notion of leadership not only through the lens of gender but though that of colonialism. I’ll ask that we keep reconciliation in mind as we reimagine leadership.

To find out more about your indigenous territory, visit https://native-land.ca/