Example Responses to Online Survey

1. What is the single trait or behavior of this person that you most admired?

Very decisive

2. What was the beneficial impact of that admired trait or behavior on his/her subordinates and what was the beneficial impact of that trait or behavior on business performance?

On subordinates: We were always clear about what we were to do.
On business performance: Our department almost always exceeded our annual goals. We had a high growth curve.

3. What was the detrimental impact of that trait or behavior on his/her subordinates and what was the detrimental impact of that trait or behavior on business performance?

On us: We never asked questions and got to be intellectually lazy as we only needed to do what we were told.
On business performance: I think we could have set even higher goals and then met them, but we didn't put any energy into trying because he told us what he thought we needed to know and that was all.

4. What is the one most disliked trait or behavior that you perceived about this leader?

He was a real cold fish emotionally.

5. What was the detrimental impact of that trait or behavior on his/her subordinates and what was the detrimental impact of that trait or behavior on business performance?

On us: We never talked with him about anything other than the work issues at hand. The rest of us were quite close, ate lunch together and often went out for drinks after work, but we never invited him. He usually ate lunch as his desk and didn’t seem to want to interact with us. When we were away from him, we’d often make jokes about his coldness and aloofness. But I used to suspect he was a very lonely person.
On business performance: We didn't like him much, so it was hard to really stretch to go for great performance. He just didn't have an inspiring effect, and I always thought that with the talented group we were, we just didn't ever hit our peak potential.

6. What was the positive impact of that trait or behavior on his/her subordinates, and what was the positive impact of that trait or behavior on business performance?

On us: Personally, I never felt much loyalty so that when another opportunity came along that was attractive to me, it was easy for me to make the decision to leave. It wasn't a place that was 'sticky' like some of my peers have gotten into when the atmosphere is too cozy.
On business performance: It was a no-nonsense place. We didn't waste time or have a desire to hang around, just do the job he wanted to his specs so that we'd hit our goals and get our bonuses. Do what was really necessary and then be out of there. That left more time for personal life.

7. What else about this person or his/her impact can you describe?

I saw him once at a basketball game. He was sitting by himself. I felt rather sorry for him because his life seemed so lopsided. I pictured him as someone that had few people in his life, just work.