The Perceived Leadership Communication Questionnaire (PLCQ): Development and Validation

Abstract

The Perceived Leadership Communication Questionnaire (PLCQ) is a short, reliable, and valid instrument for measuring leadership communication from both perspectives of the leader and the follower. Drawing on a communication-based approach to leadership and following a theoretical framework of interpersonal communication processes in organizations, this article describes the development and validation of a one-dimensional 6-item scale in four studies (total N = 604). Results from Study 1 and 2 provide evidence for the internal consistency and factorial validity of the PLCQ's self-rating version (PLCQ-SR)-a version for measuring how leaders perceive their own communication with their followers. Results from Study 3 and 4 show internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity of the PLCQ's other-rating version (PLCQ-OR)-a version for measuring how followers perceive the communication of their leaders. Cronbach's α had an average of.80 over the four studies. All confirmatory factor analyses yielded good to excellent model fit indices. Convergent validity was established by average positive correlations of.69 with subdimensions of transformational leadership and leader-member exchange scales. Furthermore, nonsignificant correlations with socially desirable responding indicated discriminant validity. Last, criterion validity was supported by a moderately positive correlation with job satisfaction (r =.31).

Establishing Patient Safety in Intensive Care— A Grounded Theory

“…Leadership and communication are closely related, because they both focus on understanding and influencing others [16]. The concept of trust is a highly complex phenomenon characterised by the individuals, team, and organisation [17].…”

Moderating the Relationship between Leadership and Commitment: An Empirical Study on Personality and Values

“…The Perceived Leadership Communication Quality questionnaire (PLCQ, Schneider, Maier, Lovrekovic, & Retzbach, 2015) was used to evaluate how participants assess the quality of communication experienced by their direct leader. A total of six items based on Likert scales is used to determine this variable.…”

In the Ear of the Beholder: Self-Other Agreement in Leadership Communication and Its Relationship With Subordinates’ Job Satisfaction

“…To measure perceived leadership communication from the perspective of the leaders themselves as well as from the perspective of their subordinates, we used the German Perceived Leadership Communication Questionnaire (PLCQ; Schneider, Maier, Lovrekovic, & Retzbach, 2015). The PLCQ measures six different facets of leadership communication (i.e., communication skills, communicative motivation, communication quality, reduction of uncertainty, shared meaning, and openness of communication).…”

“…Because some participants were leaders in management positions with tight schedules, this was essential to minimize dropout rates. While Schneider et al (2015) found the PLCQ-OR and subordinates’ job satisfaction moderately positively correlated, the question of how the combination of PLCQ-SR and PLCQ-OR relates to subordinates’ job satisfaction has not yet been investigated. Prior research found the PLCQ to have a reliability of .80 on average (Schneider et al, 2015).…”

“…While Schneider et al (2015) found the PLCQ-OR and subordinates’ job satisfaction moderately positively correlated, the question of how the combination of PLCQ-SR and PLCQ-OR relates to subordinates’ job satisfaction has not yet been investigated. Prior research found the PLCQ to have a reliability of .80 on average (Schneider et al, 2015). In the present study, internal consistencies were .84 and .91 for the PLCQ-SR and the PLCQ-OR, respectively.…”