The development of the Personality Audit: a psychodynamic multiple feedback assessment instrument

Abstract

The Personality Audit (PA) was developed to meet a need for a relatively simple multiple feedback instrument that could clarify the various motivational needs of executives. Using a psychodynamic approach to leadership, the PA allows the test-taker to assess him- or herself in seven personality dimensions important in human behaviour and to identify personal ‘blind spots’. The resulting insights can be used to formulate appropriate leadership development goals.

The objective of this paper is to describe the design and psychometric properties of the PA. This instrument, in contrast with other tools that can be used to clarify the inner theatre of individuals, is designed not only to report information given by the test-taker but also to reflect the perceptions of observers representing both the test-taker's public and private spheres. This paper describes in detail the conceptual foundations of the questionnaire, the psychometric methods used to confirm its validity and reliability, and possible directions for future research.

Keywords:

• 360-degree instrument
• human development
• life cycle
• motivational need systems
• psychodynamic approach
• personality assessment
• executive functioning
• inner theatre

Notes

 1 This very young age and six others instances of age below 20, are indicated for ‘family’ observers; we can make the hypothesis that some people asked their own children to answer the questionnaire.