Personality and Leadership Developmental Levels as predictors of leader performance

This study is an empirical investigation of constructive-developmental theory as a theoretical framework for understanding leadership and as a predictor of 360-degree leader performance ratings. Constructive-developmental stage (conceptualized as Leadership Developmental Level) was found to predict performance ratings from all rater sources (superiors, peers, and subordinates). Furthermore, the predictive ability of Leadership Developmental Level is compared to that of Big Five personality dimensions in a model of 360-degree leader performance ratings. Leadership Developmental Level was found to account for a unique component of the variance in leader performance as rated by peers and subordinates, even above and beyond that which can be accounted for by personality.