Leading by the Numbers: Using an Assessment Instrument to Stimulate Action Research

Abstract

The Group Environmental Scale (GES) was used to assess the psychosocial needs of faculty members and provide specific feedback for the campus administrator of a “troubled” elementary school. The findings challenged the principal's leadership behaviors and stimulated new thinking that led to changes in her leadership style. A follow-up assessment conducted 10 months later revealed that the principal's transition from a directive to a collaborative leadership style resulted in a significant positive change in the faculty's perception regarding “leader control,” yet significant negative changes in “innovation” and “task orientation.” However, three years after the initial assessment, the school received a quality and performance award based on the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award criteria.