Toward a Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership Behaviors in Groups

Abstract

One pressing and continuing task in group therapy research is the specific description and refinement in measurement of variables related to leadership. This paper briefly reviews two different methods used to study leadership and presents data on combining two approaches. The first approach is represented by the work of Lieberman, Yalom, and Miles, and the second approach by Wile, Bron, and Pollack. In this study, group therapists were asked to consider the items on leaders' behavior from Wile, et al.'s Group Leadership Questionnaire and conceptually match them to descriptions of the four leadership dimensions constructed by Lieberman, et al. The results suggested that the two approaches and their related research could be integrated to yield a conceptual perspective that is promising for assessment of leadership.