Chapter 9: Reinterpreting the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire

Leadership questionnaires such as the widely used Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) have paved the way for swift leadership assessments and the development of transformational leadership programs. On the surface, such questionnaires appear time and money efficient, statistically valid and reliable, and effective in targeting individuals in need of leadership behavioral modification.

However, the philosophy underlying the construction of such questionnaires has come into question by researchers who dispute the appropriateness and usefulness of adopting universal norms of effective leadership. These concerns are based on the present state of leadership research. Some researchers support alternative approaches to leadership research, which aim to address the limitations of current research practices.

In taking an alternative research philosophy and considering the MLQ from a qualitative standpoint, new insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the leadership questionnaire may be gained. The benefits will be furthering our understanding of leadership and questioning our mainstream “received view” of the subject area. The following discussion briefly outlines current issues of leadership research. The qualitative findings of a grounded theory study of nursing leadership are described, followed by the related qualitative interpretation of MLQ results on a sample of nurse leaders at a public hospital in Wellington, New Zealand.