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On the Ethics of Psychometric Instruments Used in Leadership Development Programmes

Author

Listed:
  • Suze Wilson

    (Massey University)

  • Hugh Lee

    (680, Cours de La Libération)

  • Jackie Ford

    (Durham University Business School)

  • Nancy Harding

    (University of Bath)

Abstract

The leadership development industry regularly claims to aid in developing effective, ethical leaders, using 360-degree psychometric assessments as key tools for so doing. This paper analyses the effects of such tools on those subjected to and subjectivised by them from a Foucauldian perspective. We argue that instead of encouraging ethical leadership such instruments inculcate practices and belief systems that perpetuate falsehoods, misrepresentations and inequalities. ‘Followers’ are presumed compliant, malleable beings needing leaders to determine what is in their interests. Such techniques pursue productivity and profitability, rather than ethical leadership. We examine the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, a widely used 360-degree tool that measures transformational leadership, as an illustrative case study to substantiate these criticisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Suze Wilson & Hugh Lee & Jackie Ford & Nancy Harding, 2021. "On the Ethics of Psychometric Instruments Used in Leadership Development Programmes," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(2), pages 211-227, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:172:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-020-04519-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-020-04519-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crevani, Lucia & Lindgren, Monica & Packendorff, Johann, 2010. "Leadership, not leaders: On the study of leadership as practices and interactions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 77-86, March.
    2. Ladkin, Donna, 2018. "Self Constitution as The Foundation for Leading Ethically: A Foucauldian Possibility," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 28(3), pages 301-323, July.
    3. Jackie Ford & Nancy Harding & Mark Learmonth, 2008. "Leadership as Identity," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-58418-1.
    4. Subramony, Mahesh & Segers, Jesse & Chadwick, Clint & Shyamsunder, Aarti, 2018. "Leadership development practice bundles and organizational performance: The mediating role of human capital and social capital," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 120-129.
    5. Crane, Andrew & Knights, David & Starkey, Ken, 2008. "The Conditions of Our Freedom: Foucault, Organization, and Ethics," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(3), pages 299-320, July.
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