Assessment of High Performance Behaviours
The Centre for High Performance Development (CHPD) sought psychometric support and advice on a research programme aimed at improving the psychometric properties of their assessment instrument for High Performance Behaviours. These behaviours are seen as crucial for the development of strong leadership in an organisation and to drive through change.
High Performance Behaviours are an essential element for successful team functioning and for the development of the leaders of tomorrow. However, their assessment has always provided a challenge. Creative potential and the ability to innovate, for example, are always particularly difficult to pin down: the necessary human characteristics, apart from the self-evident, are very dependent on the market situation and on the culture of the organisation in which prospective leaders find themselves.
By carefully examining the assessment protocol in terms of the four psychometric principles of reliability, validity, standardisation and equivalence, it was possible to identify many aspects of the assessment that were open to improvement and suggest ways in which this might be carried out.
The Centre for High Performance Development CHPD
Building upon its research initiatives, the Centre for High Performance Development (CHPD) played a significant role in advancing the assessment of High Performance Behaviours, which are crucial for cultivating effective leadership and driving organizational change. Our collaboration in refining the psychometric properties of their assessment tools marked a pivotal evolution for us in measuring such complex traits.
High Performance Behaviours, including creativity, innovation, and strategic decision-making, are critical for leadership development but notoriously difficult to quantify. These behaviors are not only vital for individual leaders but also essential for the overall success of teams and organizations. Recognizing this, CHPD’s research aimed at enhancing the reliability, validity, standardization, and equivalence of their assessments, ensuring that they accurately reflected the competencies necessary in dynamic market conditions and varied organizational cultures.
The instrument used by CHPD was structured similarly to traditional multiple-choice personality tests but was tailored to evaluate specific competencies crucial for high-performance leadership. These competencies included Information Search, Concept Formation, Conceptual Flexibility, Empathy, Team Working, Developing People, Influencing, Building Confidence, Presentation, Proactivity, and Continuous Improvement. By rigorously analyzing these competencies through factor analysis, CHPD identified core ‘Leadership Imperatives’ crucial for effective leadership: Action Orientation, Strategic Management, People Leadership, and Personal Style.
This meticulous approach to assessment design allowed CHPD to pinpoint areas for improvement within their assessment protocols and suggest enhancements. Their efforts in refining these tools underscored the importance of sophisticated, well-validated instruments in identifying and developing high-potential leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern organizational environments.
In 2010, the acquisition of CHPD by Kenexa, a global provider of business solutions for human resources, marked a significant milestone. This transition not only broadened the reach of CfHPD’s pioneering work but also integrated it into a larger framework of talent management and organizational development solutions. Kenexa’s global platform further enabled the dissemination of refined assessment tools developed by CfHPD, enhancing the strategic development of leadership capabilities across various industries.
Today, the legacy of CHPD’s innovative approach to leadership assessment continues to influence the development of assessment tools and leadership training programs worldwide. Their pioneering work in psychometrics has set a benchmark in the field, guiding subsequent developments in how high-performance behaviors are identified, cultivated, and integrated into leadership development frameworks. This enduring impact highlights the importance of rigorous, scientifically sound assessment practices in the cultivation of effective leaders who can drive change and achieve sustainable growth in their organizations.