The Use of IT Tools in the Assessment and Development of Leadership Abilities (Wykorzystanie narzedzi informatycznych do badania i rozwoju predyspozycji przywodczych)

This paper aims to present the findings of research into the possibilities of deploying IT tools to support the assessment and development of leadership abilities. The research procedure consisted in an analysis of four case studies from the business and military sectors. The primary research methods were a case study analysis, participant observation, Development Centre, and a source literature analysis. Under individual case studies, the following techniques were applied: individual and group interviews, brainstorming, and role playing. The tools applied included psychometric software (Thomas International, Extended Disc, Thalento) and military simulators. The division of roles between man and computer was investigated throughout two processes: business problem solving in metallurgical and mining companies, and conceptual work on incorporating IT tools in the teaching activities of a military school. Another important dimension addressed by the paper is the development of talents in an organization, which is illustrated by a case study from the metallurgical sector. Given the increasing opportunities for IT applications in developing leadership potentials, the article also deals with the mechanisms for implementing IT tools in the areas being examined. Based on the research conducted, it is concluded that contemporary IT technologies have substantially enhanced the processes of testing and developing leadership abilities, but have not fully automated them. In the context of the authors’ research outcomes and based on an analysis of source literature, directions for further development are proposed.