In a highly unusual development in the Human Resources field, leadership consulting firm Kaplan DeVries Inc. has been awarded a patent for their 360 feedback tool, the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI).
The patent was awarded because no other leadership development tool uses pairs of opposite leadership behaviors (such as “Takes Charge” versus “Empowers”) and also assesses versatility and “lopsidedness” among the pairs. Through decade-long statistical research and first-hand use of the tool in executive development, the inventor-designers, Robert E. Kaplan, Ph.D. and Rob Kaiser, M.S., of Kaplan Devries Inc., determined that the instrument uniquely detects “lopsided” leadership.
Extreme lopsidedness is a major cause of career derailment and undermines talent management for many organizations. In fact, Kaiser and Kaplan's statistical research indicates that versatility—having a well-rounded repertoire—accounts for half of what separates the most highly regarded leaders from the least well-regarded leaders.
“There is a central human tendency to rely too heavily on our strengths,” says Dr. Kaplan. “In leaders, this often creates blind spots that lead to complete career derailment. The problem is expensive in both business and human terms.”
On its website, Kaplan’s firm offers a free trial of the Leadership Versatility Index, hosted online by Performance Programs. For more information, contact author Bob Kaplan.
