7Sugreen.qxd


Human beings differ considerably: each individual is unique by

virtue of his/her personality traits and cognitive abilities,

consequently, the ways in which individuals behave in particular

situations, varies. And so do job performances. Therefore it is

necessary to assess the knowledge, skills, abilities, personality

and interests of applicants or candidates vying for particular

positions as best and as accurately as possible. This is

particularly true of candidates who aspire to leadership

positions. Suitable measuring instruments for personnel

selection must therefore be identified.

Establishing the predictive power of the Situation-Specific

Evaluation Expert (SPEEX-battery) in identif ying leadership

potential, is important to:

1. ensure that employees with leadership potential are equitably

identified, trained, developed and promoted into leadership

positions;

2. provide an organisation with the opportunity to set specific

targets as to the number of people or potential candidates

earmarked for leadership positions in the future;

3. offer a logical structure for establishing and implementing

plans to meet targets and eliminate problems;

4. monitor and evaluate the developmental progress made with

people with leadership potential.

The present research is necessary as the measuring instrument

(SPEEX) has been developed in South Africa and needs to be

tested in the diverse South African context.  It is essential 

that employees with leadership potential are equitably

identified, trained, developed and promoted into leadership

positions in order to initiate and maintain manpower 

growth and development, and to fulfil an entrepreneurial

function in South Africa, especially as far as globalisation 

is concerned.

Background and theoretical considerations

According to Burns (1975), one of the most universal 

cravings of our time is a hunger for compelling and creative

leadership. He adds that we fail to grasp the essence of

leadership that is relevant to the modern age and hence we

cannot even agree on the standards to measure, recruit, and

reject it (Burns, 1975, p.2). Subsequently, Burns (1975) defined

leadership as leaders inducing followers to strive for certain

goals that represent the values and motivations of both leaders

and followers.

The identification and prediction of leadership potential have

always been a cause for concern in organisations. Alimo-

Metcalfe and Alban-Metcalfe (2001) noted that whereas the

formal and empirical study of leadership began around the

1930s, the early 1980s witnessed a major paradigm shift in

approaches to leadership, from Transactional to

Transformational. They also stated that, while “earlier

approaches, such as the situational and contingency models,

focussed on identif ying the behavioural styles which appeared

to predict effective outcomes depending on situational

contingencies, they offered little advice for dealing with 

the turmoil of the late 1970s and 1980s when constant 

change became the norm” (Alimo-Metcalfe & Alban-Metcalfe,

2001, p.1).

It is necessary to understand what the competency profile of a

leader is, in order to overcome limitations in the identification

and prediction of leadership potential. This research article

focuses on the identification of indices of the SPEEX-battery that

validly identif y leadership competencies.

As organisations move from being hierarchically structured

entities to being digitally networked, the transactional styles of

leadership conducive to hierarchies must evolve to suit the

net worked environment. Market globalisation, increasing

diversity of workforces, and organisations’ emphases on time,

costs, quality and risk, are critical to their ability to compete

with other organisations, locally and internationally. Researchers

and organisations are increasingly interested in

transformational/charismatic leadership theories as a possible

solution to these challenges (Brown & Lord, 1999).

Transactional Leadership

Over the years, research on leadership has provided several

differentiating factors of exceptional leaders. Many leadership

theories specif y the qualities and behaviours that people

associate with the term ‘leader’. “Leadership can be understood

in terms of knowledge, problem-solving skills, solution

G SUGREEN

J M SCHEPERS
Department of Human Resources Management

University of Johannesburg

ABSTRACT
The principal objective of the study was to determine the relationship between certain indices of the SPEEX-battery

and the leadership dimensions of the MLQ. The SPEEX-battery was subjected to factor analysis and yielded six

factors. The reliabilities of the composite scores calculated to represent each of the factors ranged from 0,712 to

0,925. The MLQ was also subjected to factor analysis and yielded three factors. A canonical correlation of 0,666 

(p < 0, 000001) was obtained between the indices of the SPEEX-battery (IV’s) and the leadership dimensions of the

MLQ (DV’s). The implications of the findings are discussed.

OPSOMMING
Die hoofdoelwit van die studie was om die verband tussen sekere indekse van die SPEEX-battery en die

leierskapsdimensies van die MLQ te bepaal. Die SPEEX-battery is aan ’n faktorontleding onderwerp en ses faktore is

verkry. Saamgesteldetellings is bereken om elk van die faktore te verteenwoordig. Die verkreë betroubaarhede het

gewissel van 0,712 tot 0,925. Die MLQ is ook aan ’n faktorontleding onderwerp en drie faktore is verkry. ’n Kanoniese

korrelasie van 0,666 (p< 0,000001) is verkry tussen die dimensies van die SPEEX-battery (OV’s) en die leierskaps-

dimensies van die MLQ (AV’s). Die implikasies van die studie word bespreek.

THE ASSOCIATION OF SELECTED SPEEX-BATTERY 

INDICES WITH THE CONSTRUCTS OF THE 

MULTIFACTOR LEADERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE

42

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006, 32 (1), 42-51

SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 2006, 32 (1), 42-51



construction skills, and social judgement needed to solve

organisational problems” (Mumford, Zaccaro, Conelly & Marks,

2000, p.1). Whilst leadership has been defined in numerous

different ways, according to Bass (1990) these definitions can be

classified in accordance with the similarities between them.

According to Bass and Avolio (1997), leadership behaviours can

be viewed as a continuum of behaviours, ranging from the least

potent, to the most potent. 

Burns (1975) identified two basic types of leadership: the

transactional and the transforming. Transactional leaders

approach followers with the view to exchanging one thing for

another. By contrast the transforming leader recognises and

exploits an existing need or demand of a potential follower.

“The exchange role of the leader has been referred to as

transactional” (Ivancevich & Matteson, 1993, p.466). Ivancevich

and Matteson further hold that the transactional leader helps the

follower identif y what must be done to achieve the desired

results, takes into consideration the person’s self-concept and

esteem needs and relies on contingent reward and management

by exception. According to Bass and Avolio (1997), transactional

leadership can be constructive or corrective. In its constructive

form, transactional leadership is “supplemented by working

with individuals and/or groups, setting up and defining

agreements or contracts to achieve specific work objectives,

discovering individuals’ capabilities, and specif ying the

compensation and rewards that can be expected upon successful

completion of the tasks” (p. 2). Bass and Avolio (1997) divided

the corrective form of transactional leadership into passive

(laissez-faire) and active. In the former, it focuses on waiting 

for mistakes to occur before taking action, whilst in the 

latter, transactional leaders closely monitor the occurrence of

any mistakes.

According to Barbuto and Brown (2000), the full range

leadership model, based on over 100 years of leadership research,

identifies both transactional and transformational leadership.

Transactional behaviours include laissez-faire (hands-off

leadership), management by exception (putting out the fires)

and contingent rewards (let’s make a deal). Furthermore, laissez-

faire leadership includes an absence of leadership, avoidance in

taking a stand, no emphasis on results, refraining from

intervention when issues arise and unawareness of employee

performance (Barbuto & Brown, 2000). In management by

exception, the leader takes corrective actions, sets standards, but

waits for problems to arise before doing anything, stresses what

people are doing wrong, enforces rules and dislikes challenges to

the status quo, and is only heard from when something is

wrong. Transformational behaviours include individualised

consideration (compassionate leadership), intellectual

stimulation (thinking outside of the ‘box’), inspirational

motivation (exciting the masses/sharing the vision), and

idealised influence (walking the walk) (Barbuto & Brown, 2000).

Bass (1990, p.20) concluded, “the definition of leadership should

depend on the purposes to be served by that definition”. For the

purpose of this study, leadership is referred to as an individual’s

abilit y to lead others by motivating them; managing

interpersonal issues by being sensitive to diversity amongst

others and integrating and being responsible for the

achievement of performance targets and outputs (Bass, 1990).

According to Burns (1975) transformational leadership occurs

when the leader and followers engage in such a way that they

raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality.

“The transformational leader motivates followers to work for

transcendental goals instead of short term self-interest and for

achievement and self-actualisation instead of securit y”

(Ivancevich & Matteson, 1993, p.467). They add that

transformational leaders are persuasive and motivational; and

will “overhaul the entire philosophy, system, and culture of an

organisation". “Transformational/charismatic leadership is

usually contrasted with transactional leadership” (Den Hartog,

House, Hanges, Ruiz Quintanilla & Dorfman, 1999, p.2). Bass

and Avolio (1997, p.2) describe transformational leaders as those

leaders who have the greatest influence on their subordinates

and colleagues and as ‘inspirational, intellectually stimulating,

challenging, visionary, development oriented, and determined

to maximise performance.” 

Transformational leadership, according to Moorhead and Griffon

(1995, p.325), is “the set of abilities that allow the leader to

recognise the need for change, to create a vision to guide that

change, and to execute that change effectively”. They state

further that “only a leader with tremendous influence can hope

to perform these functions”. As Bass and Avolio (1997) started to

collect and analyse their data on leadership, a new model of

leadership began to take shape that incorporated a broader

continuum of behaviours, from the least potent – laissez-faire

leadership to the most potent – Idealised leadership. 

Components of transformational leadership

Transformational leadership consists of four components:

Charisma or Idealised influence (attributed or behavioural),

Inspirational motivation, Intellectual stimulation, and

Individualised consideration (Bass & Avolio, 1997). The

authenticity of transformational (or transactional) leadership is

based on the moral behaviours, values and programmes of

leaders (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). Authentic transformational

leadership provides a more reasonable and realistic concept of

the self – a self that is connected to friends, family and

community, whose welfare may be more important to one than

one’s own self (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). 

Bass and Avolio (1997) maintain that transformational leaders

have associates who view them in an idealised way and, as such,

these leaders wield much power and influence over their

followers. “If the leadership is transformational, its charisma or

idealised influence is envisioning, confident and sets high

standards for emulation” (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999, p.5).

Idealised influence is generally defined with respect to

associates’ reactions to the leader as well as to the leader’s

behaviour (Bass & Avolio, 1997). Associates identif y with and

want to emulate those leaders, who are trusted and seen as

having an attainable mission and vision. Attributionally, this

type of leader reassures others that obstacles will be overcome.

Behaviourally they emphasise the importance of having a

collective sense of mission.

Leaders who have personal charisma often fail to develop

associates to lead in their own right fearing a threat to their own

leadership (Bass & Avolio, 1997). As a result they are set up as

idols. According to Bass and Steidlmeier (1999), followers should

not merely be a means to satisf ying ends for the leader but

should be treated as ends in themselves. They label this variant

of transformational leadership as inauthentic or pseudo (Bass &

Steidlmeir, 1999, p.5). These ‘pseudo-transformational’ leaders

appear to be concerned about the development of associates but

do not give them more autonomy and control or influence as

part of their development (Bass & Avolio, 1997, p.28).

According to Bass and Avolio (1997, p.28), “inspirational leaders

articulate shared goals and mutual understanding of what is

right and important, provide visions of what is important and

how to attain them and enhance meaning and promote positive

expectations about what needs to be done”. They add that

inspirational motivation may or may not overlap with idealised

leadership, depending on the extent to which associates seek to

identif y with the leader. The leader provides symbols,

metaphors, and simplified emotional appeals to increase

awareness and understanding of mutually desired goals (Bass &

Avolio, 1997).

Bass and Steidlmeier (1999), claim that the inspirational

motivation of transformational leadership provides followers

with challenges and meaning for engaging in shared goals and

SELECTED SPEEX-BATTERY INDICES 43



understanding. This type of leader focuses on the best in people.

Some researchers have linked this to an empowerment process,

which for them is motivational and enabling, thus highlighting

a new realisation and transformation of the person.

“Through Intellectual stimulation, transformational leaders help

others to think about old problems in new ways” (Bass & Avolio,

1997, p.29). Transformational leaders support associates who

question their own values, beliefs and expectations as well as

those who follow them in the organisation. They also support

those who identif y their shortcomings and suggest ways of

developing themselves. Consequently, associates develop the

capacity to solve future problems unforeseen by the leader and

new and innovative solutions for the organisation are explored

(Bass & Avolio, 1997).

For Bass and Avolio (1997, p.29), individualised consideration

“means understanding and sharing in others’ concerns and

developmental needs and treating each other uniquely” and

“expanding and elevating those needs in an attempt to maximise

and develop their full potential”. Bass and Steidlmeier (1999,

p.7) hold that “individualised consideration underscores the

necessity of altruism if leadership is to be anything more than

authoritarian control, where the leader treats every follower as

an individual and provides coaching, and mentoring and growth

opportunities”. Bass and Avolio (1997) indicated further that

assignments are delegated to associates to provide learning

opportunities by treating them ‘differently but equitably’ on a

one to one basis. 

Transformational leadership and its augmentation effect for

transactional leadership

Hooiberg and Choi (2000, p.6), in an interview with Bass quote

Bass as saying that “passive and laissez-faire leaders have a

negative impact on effectiveness”. In this interview, Bass held

that leaders may think they are empowering followers, but their

followers may see them as trying to avoid work and not really

caring about what they do. He adds, “while management by

exception is sometimes necessary, some meta-analysts hold that

it has an almost zero relationship with effectiveness” (Hooiberg

& Choi, 2000, p.6). The transformational factors of individualised

consideration, charismatic, and inspirational leadership as well as

intellectual stimulation are likely to be more strongly correlated

with effectiveness. However, transformational leadership does

not replace transactional leadership. According to Bass and Avolio

(1997, p.22), it “augments transactional leadership in achieving

the goals of the leader, associate, group and organisation”.

Hooiberg and Choi (2000) also report Bass’ stipulation that the

augmentation effect is found in regression analysis where

transformational leadership adds to transactional leadership in

order to predict effectiveness and satisfaction. Although

transformational leaders can be transactional when appropriate,

transactional leadership is often a “prescription for lower levels

of performance or non-significant change” (Bass and Avolio,

1997, p. 22).

Transformational leadership and culture specific and cross

cultural generalisability

In accordance with the results of a global leadership and

organisational behaviour effectiveness research programme, Den

Hartog et al. (1999), maintain that although cross cultural

research emphasises that different cultural groups are likely 

to have different conceptions of what leadership should entail, 

it is universally endorsed that attributes associated with

transformational leadership contribute to outstanding leadership.

They add that the cultural background of the perceiver strongly

influences the way in which the social environment is interpreted. 

According to Bass and Avolio (1997) the universality of the

transactional/ transformational paradigm may be based on the

fact that evidence supporting the model has been obtained in

many different countries. This implies that “attributes which are

seen as characteristic or prototypical for leaders may also

strongly vary in different cultures e.g. in some cultures strong

decisive actions may be necessary to be seen as a leader whereas

in some cultures consultation and democracy may be a

prerequisite” (Den Hartog et al., 1999, p.4). 

In their article on transformational leadership, in the context of

organisational change, Eisenbach, Watson and Pillai (1999), refer

to the difficulty in measuring constructs such as leadership and

change. They also mention the need to refine the instruments

designed to measure transformational leadership. For the

purposes of the present research, the scales of the Multifactor

Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) served as dependent 

variables, and various indices of the SPEEX-battery served as

independent variables. 

The MLQ has been used for assessments, reports and feedback

on Leadership potential (Bass & Avolio, 1997). An experimental

form has also been used for research and further development of

the MLQ that was eventually used for 360° assessment and

feedback. The psychometric data for the experimental form have

been refined from research across “various business, industrial,

nursing, military and professional organisations and agencies”

(Bass & Avolio, 1997, p.53). Bass and Avolio (1997) state that the

mean factor scale values and norms are expected to vary across

different organisations. Findings from validation and cross-

validational studies resulted in the selection of 45 items for the

MLQ form 5X where ‘four items were selected for each

leadership factor that best represented the meaning of that

construct” (Bass & Avolio, 1997, p. 78). 

Ackermann, Schepers, Lessing and Dannhauser (2000),

performed a study to determine whether the factor structure 

of the MLQ, as a measure of transformational leadership, 

could be used in the South African context. In this study, 

the MLQ was administered to 406 subjects within a military

context. The completed records were then subjected to factor

analysis and item analysis. The factor analysis yielded three

factors, namely, Transformational Leadership, Transactional

Leadership and Avoidance of Leadership (Laissez-faire

leadership).

The first factor consisted of items representative of

transformational leadership, namely, idealised influence,

individualised consideration, intellectual stimulation and

inspirational motivation. The second factor consisted of items

representative of the Laissez-faire leadership style. There were,

however, five items that were more indicative of the

management by exception (active) leadership style (Ackermann

et al. 2000). Ackermann et al. (2000) argued that while the active

leader closely monitors errors and problems, and the passive

leader waits for mistakes and problems to occur, both concepts

involve, ‘avoidance’ and therefore give meaning to the second

factor namely, ‘avoidance of leadership’. In the present study the

items of the second factor have similar implications – they

represent the laissez-faire leadership style. The third factor in

Ackermann et al.’s study (2000) is transactional leadership. The

items of this factor are representative of contingent reward and

management by exception (active).

In a study of the predictive validity of the SPEEX-battery in an

academic institution, Kriel (1999) found that the validity

coefficients of certain of the indices of the SPEEX-battery

exceeded internationally reported mean validities found in other

and probably less situation specific assessment tools. Another

study in a tertiary institution by Kriel (2000), to determine the

“drop out” (success) rate of groups that were evaluated with the

SPEEX assessment tool, concluded that this tool is highly

successful in identif ying students with the ability to be

successful in tertiary studies.

Objectives of the study

The principal objective of the present study was to determine the

association of certain indices of the Situation-specific Evaluation

SUGREEN, SCHEPERS44



Expert (SPEEX) with the leadership dimensions of the

Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). A corollary was 

to examine the factor structure and reliability of the SPEEX-

battery and the MLQ. Thus the supplementary goals of the 

study were to:

� determine the factor structure of the indices of the SPEEX-

battery known as SPEEX 1900, SPEEX 2200 and SPEEX 2400.

� calculate composite scores in respect of each of the factors

obtained, and to estimate the reliabilities of each of the

composites.

� determine the factor structure of the MLQ, and to estimate

the reliabilities of each of the scales representing the factors

obtained.

In the light of the principal objective of the study, the following

hypothesis was formulated:

Hypothesis 1

There is a statistically significant canonical correlation between

certain indices of the SPEEX-battery (IV’s), and the leadership

measures of the MLQ (DV’s).

RESEARCH DESIGN

Sample

A sample of 108 bank managers was used in the study. It was

randomly drawn from a population of 500 managers of one of

the largest banks in South Africa. The mean age of the

participants was 35 years with a standard deviation of 8 years.

There were 56 men (51,9%) and 52 women (48,1%) in the

sample. Their educational qualifications ranged from

matriculation to post-graduate degrees, and their job levels from

junior to middle management.

Measuring instruments

The SPEEX-battery

The Situation-specific Evaluation Expert (SPEEX), comprising 67

scales, provides a comprehensive assessment package suitable for

the establishment and development of human potential in the

workplace. For the purposes of the present study, 24 scales were

selected from the total of 67. The selected scales are categorised

as Social Types (SPEEX 1900), Humanising (SPEEX 2400) and

Leadership Style (SPEEX 2400). A brief description based on the

Job Profiling Inventory (JPI Complete) from JP Expert/PIB SPEEX

of the various scales follows. 

Social Types

1 Demonstrative (I)1

Demonstrative refers to the extent to which a person prefers to

talk about things and to express his or her views about matters

spontaneously in a way that may influence or inspire others or

convince them.

rxx = 0,56
2

2. Evaluating (I)

Evaluating refers to the extent to which a person asks questions,

investigates, looks into, searches, analyses, gives attention to,

compares, attends to detail, plans and insists on quality.

rxx = 0,48

3. Persevering (I)

Persevering refers to the capacity of a person to be adamant,

insistent, driven, a risk-taker, task-minded, punctual, assertive,

arrogant, intolerant and challenging.

rxx = 0,49

4. Samaritarian (I)

Samaritarian refers to the extent to which a person shows

sympathy, companionship or support to others and/or

willingness to assist others and to co-operate with them.

rxx = 0,58

Emotional Quotient

5. Diversity Facilitation (N)3

Diversity Facilitation refers to the capacity of a person to relate

positively to teams or other groups which reflect diversity in, for

example, gender, culture, language, beliefs, attitude and

behaviour.

rxx = 0,63

6. Emotional Sensitivity (N)

Emotional sensitivity refers to the capacity to understand and

appreciate why people feel as they do when they are intolerant,

concerned, downhearted, moody, angry, etc.

rxx = 0,83

7. Empathy (N)

Empathy refers to the capacity of a person to show concern,

tolerance, sympathy and understanding for the needs, concerns,

values, views, attitudes, behaviour, beliefs, etc. of other people.

rxx = 0,80

8. Interpersonal Objectivity (N)

Interpersonal Objectivity is the capacity of a person to

understand interpersonal matters for what they really mean.

rxx = 0,76

9. Mental Stress (N)

Mental Stress refers to the capacity of a person to cope with

emotional stress and pressure.

rxx = 0,80

10.People Development (N)

People Development refers to a person’s appreciation for the

developmental needs of workers in the workplace as well as their

concern with the effective implementation of development

procedures. It also relates to quality, time and attention, as very

important and integral parts of daily activities in the workplace. 

rxx = 0,86

11. Physical Stress (N)

Physical Stress is the physical capacity of a person to cope with

social and emotional stress, and is reflected by the absence of

psychosomatic symptoms i.e., the physical manifestation of

symptoms of stress.

rxx = 0,82

12.Tact (N)

Tact refers to the capacity of a person to be courteous,

diplomatic, comforting, respectful, accommodating, etc. when

attending to others’ problems or difficulties.

rxx = 0,83

Leadership Style

A. Transformational Leadership Style

13.Big Picture Thinking (I)

Big Picture Thinking is the capacity of a person to realise the

immediate and long-term implications and impacts of

environmental trends, decisions, events, actions and problems

on one’s own performance and on the performance of followers.

rxx = 0,34

14.Effort Focusing (I)

Effort Focusing is the capacity of a person to inspire team

members to strive towards a shared goal or vision.

rxx = 0,50

15.Empowerment (I)

Empowerment is the capacity of a person to remove obstacles

that hinder the growth and achievement of followers and thus

stimulate their willingness to show initiative and to work

productively towards the shared goal or vision.

rxx = 0,48

SELECTED SPEEX-BATTERY INDICES 45

1 The ipsative scales are indicated with an (I). 2 The reliabilities of the various scales are indicated with the symbol rxx. 3 The normative scales are indicated with an (N)



16.Participative Management (I)

Participative Management is the capacity of a person to build

common ownership of commitment to group goals, shared (team)

vision, decision-making, problem-solving and management.

rxx = 0,48

17.Transparency (I)

Transparency refers to a person’s openness and free sharing of

information with others, as opposed to merely giving instructions.

rxx = 0,61

18.Visioning (I)

Visioning is the capacity of a person to develop a clear vision of

desirable futures and the ability to provide direction in terms of

action towards certain future outcomes.

rxx = 0,48

B. Transactional Leadership Style

19.Action Planning (I)

Action Planning refers to the capacity of a person to systematise,

plan and prioritise an action with the required resources.

rxx = 0,63

20.Applied Strategic Planning (I)

Applied Strategic Planning is the capacity to use ‘big picture’

thinking practically and proactively to form appropriate plans

for realising strategic goals.

rxx = 0,60

21.Decisiveness (I)

Decisiveness is the capacity of a person to show readiness and

ability to make decisions, render judgement, take action and

apply corrective measures whenever the situation so demands.

rxx = 0,62

22.External Motivation (I)

External Motivation is the capacity of a person to motivate team

members by means of tangible rewards.

rxx = 0,73

23. Goal Setting (I)

Goal Setting is the capacity of a person to create objectives and

plans that integrate the needs of diverse views and groups.

rxx = 0,52

24. Organising (I)

Organising is the capacity of a person to arrange the availability

and allocation of required resources, to design and utilise

control systems, and to delegate and co-ordinate the tasks and

duties of individuals and groups, in a way that ensures the

smooth flow of work throughout the workplace.

rxx = 0,51

From the foregoing, it is clear that the reliabilities of the

normative scales range from 0,63 to 0,86, and those of the

ipsative scales from 0,34 to 0,73. Ipsative measures can be used

profitably to determine the relative strengths of intra-individual

drives, but cannot be used to determine inter-individual

differences. Clemans (1956, p.52) states it as follows: “Ipsative

scores are relative scores. It is quite possible that a person

obtaining a low ipsative score on a particular trait actually

possesses more of the characteristics in question than a person

obtaining a much higher ipsative score does. It is imperative that

users of ipsative variables interpret them in the relative sense

only”. Paired comparisons, multiple rank orders, and forced

choice formats normally lead to ipsative measurement. Sixteen

of the scales of the SPEEX-battery are basically ipsative.

The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)

The MLQ of Bass and Avolio (1997) focuses on a broad range

of leadership behaviours and can be used to differentiate

between effective and ineffective leaders. It is available in a

validated short form of 45 items for organisational surveys and

research as well as in a long form of 63 items for training 

and development purposes. Separate forms are available for

self-assessment and 360 degree assessment purposes. It

measures Transformational Leadership, Transactional

Leadership, Non-transaction Leadership (Laissez-faire) and

Outcomes of Leadership. The MLQ 5X (revised) self-

assessment form was used in the present study. The MLQ (5X)

(revised) (Copyright 1995 by Bernard M. Bass and Bruce J.

Avolio), was used with permission of the local distributors 

of the instrument.

Procedure

The 24 scales of the SPEEX-battery, as well as the short form of

the MLQ, were completed by the same sample of participants.

One hundred and eight complete records were obtained.

RESULTS

The SPEEX-battery

To determine the factor structure of the 24 scales selected 

from the SPEEX-battery, the various measures were

intercorrelated, and the eigenvalues of the unreduced

intercorrelation matrix were computed. The eigenvalues are

given in Table 1.

TABLE 1

EIGENVALUES OF UNREDUCED INTERCORRELATION

MATRIX OF SPEEX-BATTERY

Root Eigenvalue % of Variance Cumulative %

1 4,997 20,821 20,821

2 2,750 11,458 32,279

3 2,055 8,564 40,843

4 1,868 7,785 48,628

5 1,595 6,644 55,272

6 1,465 6,103 61,374

7 1,296 5,399 66,773

8 1,026 4,274 71,047

9 0,891 3,711 74,758

10 0,787 3,281 78,039

11 0,751 3,128 81,167

12 0,672 2,798 83,966

13 0,623 2,595 86,561

14 0,467 1,944 88,505

15 0,446 1,858 90,363

16 0,384 1,601 91,963

17 0,362 1,508 93,471

18 0,336 1,399 94,870

19 0,332 1,382 96,252

20 0,303 1,264 97,516

21 0,208 0,867 98,383

22 0,191 0,795 99,178

23 0,148 0,616 99,794

24 0,050 0,206 100,000

Trace 24,000

Table 1 shows that there are eight eigenvalues greater than

unity. Accordingly, eight factors were extracted by means of a

principal factor analysis (Kaiser, 1961). Two of the factors were

poorly determined, therefore a six-factor-solution was

obtained. The resulting factor matrix was rotated to simple

structure by means of a Direct Oblimin rotation. This matrix

is given in Table 2.

Factor 1 is well determined, and can be identified as

Interpersonal Relations. Factor 2 is also well determined and can

be interpreted as Planning. Factor 3 is a doublet and can be

tentatively identified as Perseverance. Factor 4 is well

determined with four high loadings, and can be interpreted as

Participative Management. Factor 5 is just determined with three

loadings, and can be interpreted as Stress Tolerance. Factor 6 is

also just determined, and can be interpreted as Visioning. The

factor correlations are shown in Table 3.

SUGREEN, SCHEPERS46



TABLE 2

ROTATED FACTOR MATRIX OF SPEEX BATTERY

(DIRECT OBLIMIN ROTATION)

Variables Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor** h²j rxx

1 2 3 4 5 6

Tact 0,784 -0,030 -0,010 0,059 -0,162 0,100 0,682 0,83

Empathy 0,756 -0,090 -0,104 0,145 -0,233 0,080 0,742 0,80

Emotional 0,744 -0,030 0,000 0,095 -0,133 0,156 0,655 0,83

Sensitivity

Interpersonal 0,732 0,080 -0,020 -0,080 0,215 -0,006 0,569 0,76

Objectivity

People 0,663 0,087 0,105 -0,090 0,173 -0,183 0,460 0,86

Development

Evaluating -0,292 0,200 0,017 -0,173 -0,090 0,030 0,221* 0,48

Action -0,124 0,723 -0,070 -0,228 -0,008 0,349 0,729* 0,63

Planning

Goal Setting 0,131 0,663 -0,040 0,192 -0,040 0,050 0,467* 0,52

Organising 0,020 0,641 -0,008 -0,110 -0,060 -0,220 0,532* 0,51

Decisiveness -0,040 0,433 0,146 -0,113 0,172 0,120 0,270* 0,62

External -0,030 0,408 0,012 0,213 -0,006 -0,244 0,250* 0,73

Motivation

Demon- 0,308 -0,359 -0,130 0,121 0,263 0,080 0,453* 0,56

strative

Persevering 0,050 0,069 0,941 0,051 -0,134 -0,085 0,866* 0,49

Samaritarian -0,020 0,052 -0,671 0,021 -0,010 -0,093 0,473* 0,58

Participative 0,077 0,012 -0,003 0,684 -0,004 0,080 0,513* 0,48

Management

Transparency -0,090 0,189 -0,090 0,682 -0,060 -0,007 0,459* 0,61

Effort 0,182 -0,175 -0,040 0,586 0,043 0,217 0,601* 0,50

Focusing

Empower- 0,058 -0,145 0,055 0,549 0,247 -0,082 0,470* 0,48

ment

Mental Stress 0,159 0,131 -0,187 0,047 0,745 -0,025 0,604 0,80

Physical -0,050 -0,003 0,088 0,019 0,522 0,123 0,317 0,82

Stress

Diversity 0,244 0,244 -0,030 -0,020 -0,300 0,060 0,226 0,63

Facilitation

Big Picture -0,090 -0,090 0,072 0,248 0,104 0,688 0,601* 0,34

Thinking

Visioning 0,127 -0,080 0,064 0,295 0,152 0,535 0,519* 0,48

Applied 0,048 0,111 0,003 -0,100 -0,030 0,485 0,254* 0,60

Strategic 

Thinking

Note. 

** Factor 6 has been reflected

* These measures are basically ipsative

rxx Cronbach Alpha

TABLE 3

FACTOR CORRELATION MATRIX OF SPEEX BATERY

Factor Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Factor 6

1 1,000 -0,050 -0,113 0,266 0,063 0,114

2 -0,050 1,000 0,052 -0,162 -0,175 -0,063

3 -0,113 0,052 1,000 -0,166 0,091 0,080

4 0,266 -0,162 -0,166 1,000 0,134 0,060

5 0,063 -0,175 0,091 0,134 1,000 0,070

6 0,114 -0,063 0,080 0,060 0,070 1,000

Note. Factor 6 has been reflected

Table 3 shows that the factors are essentially uncorrelated or

independent of one another. As many of the measures are

ipsative in nature, and have rather low reliabilities it was decided

to form composites by combining all the variables with

substantial loadings on a factor. 

The average reliability of the components used in forming the

composites, and the average intercorrelations of the components

are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4

RELIABILITY OF THE VARIOUS COMPOSITE SCORES

OF THE SPEEX-BATTERY

Composite Average Average Reliability

reliability of inter- of the 

components correlation composite

of the 

components 

�gg' �gh �xx' k

1 Interpersonal Relations 0,760 0,440 0,925 6

2 Planning 0,595 0,286 0,833 6

3 Perseverance 0,535 0,616 0,712 2

4 Participative Management 0,518 0,424 0,788 4

5 Stress Tolerance 0,750 0,247 0,833 3

6 Visioning 0,604 0,348 0,767 3

The following formula, developed by Schepers (1992, 

p. 62), was used to calculate the reliabilities of the 

composite scores:

The obtained reliabilities of the various composite scores are

also shown in Table 4. From this table it can be seen that the

reliabilities of the composite scores range from 0,712 to 0,925.

Reliabilities of this magnitude are acceptable for research

purposes. The obtained composite scores were subsequently

used as independent variables in a canonical correlation

analysis.

The MLQ

Next, the 45 items of the MLQ were subjected to a 

principal factor analysis. As a first step, the items were

intercorrelated and the eigenvalues of the unreduced

intercorrelation matrix were computed.  As fifteen of 

the eigenvalues were greater than unit y fifteen factors 

were extracted and rotated to simple structure by means of 

a varimax rotation.

To overcome the effect of differential skewness of items,

subscores in respect of each factor were computed by adding the

items with high loadings on a factor together. The subscores

were then intercorrelated and subjected to a principal factor

analysis. The eigenvalues of the unreduced intercorrelation

matrix are given in Table 5.

Four factors were extracted, as four of the eigenvalues were

greater than unity. Factor 1 represented 20 items and Factor 2,

11 items. Factors 3 and 4 were poorly determined, representing

6 and 7 items respectively. Accordingly, a three-factor-solution

was tried. Factors 1 and 2 remained essentially the same.

Factors 3 and 4 were combined into a single factor. No items

were lost. 

The obtained factor matrix was rotated to simple structure by

means of a Direct Oblimin rotation, and is given in Table 6.

Table 6 shows that the three factors are reasonably well

determined, with substantial loadings on all three. However,

from an inspection of the communalities it is apparent that

SELECTED SPEEX-BATTERY INDICES 47

( )
( )
+

=
+

=
=

=

=

� �
�

�

�

�

�

'
'

'

'

– 1
,

1 – 1

gg gh
xx

gh

xx

gg

gh

k

k

k

reliability of composite

averagereliability of components

average intercorrelationof components

numberof components



several of the subscores share only a small proportion of their

variance with the other subscores.

TABLE 5

EIGENVALUES OF UNREDUCED INTERCORRELATION MATRIX OF MLQ

Root Eigenvalue % of Variance Cumulative %

1 3,816 25,441 25,441

2 1,665 11,098 36,539

3 1,333 8,884 45,422

4 1,247 8,311 53,733

5 0,998 6,654 60,388

6 0,914 6,093 66,480

7 0,829 5,529 72,009

8 0,788 5,251 77,260

9 0,636 4,242 81,502

10 0,568 3,788 85,289

11 0,543 3,623 88,913

12 0,501 3,340 92,252

13 0,456 3,042 95,295

14 0,389 2,595 97,890

15 0,317 2,110 100,000

Trace 15,000

TABLE 6

ROTATED FACTOR MATRIX OF MLQ (DIRECT OBLIMIN ROTATION)

Variables Item(s) K Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 h²j

Subtest 1 44, 31, 26, 30, 42, 16, 10 0,538 -0,249 0,343 0,683

32, 39, 45 & 15

Subtest 2 41, 21, 35, 43 and 40 5 0,541 -0,183 0,227 0,515

Subtest 3 33, 7, 12, and 5 4 -0,216 0,368 0,005 0,199

Subtest 4 20, 3 and 24 3 0,091 0,752 0,058 0,542

Subtest 5 27 and 22 2 -0,030 0,383 0,009 0,148

Subtest 6 37, 38 and 10 3 0,630 -0,005 -0,100 0,360

Subtest 7 2 and 23 2 -0,010 0,011 0,363 0,127

Subtest 8 34 and 8 2 0,207 -0,040 0,510 0,397

Subtest 9 29, 36, 28 and 19 4 0,096 -0,265 0,356 0,287

Subtest 10 25 and 9 2 0,608 0,011 0,104 0,427

Subtest 11 18 and 11 2 0,187 0,232 0,289 0,167

Subtest 12 6 and 1 2 0,048 -0,050 0,334 0,137

Subtest 13 13 and 4 2 0,199 -0,433 0,128 0,312

Subtest 14 17 1 0,159 0,248 -0,250 0,143

Subtest 15 14 1 -0,080 0,072 0,737 0,486

Number of items per factor 45 20 11 14

To identif y the obtained factors, the items associated with each

one were grouped into the categories given by Bass and Avolio

(1995). The resulting classification is given in Table 7.

TABLE 7

ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THREE FACTORS OF THE MLQ

Items Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3

Transformational 9, 10, 15, 21,  13 (with a 2, 6, 8, 14, 18, 19, 

Leadership 25, 26, 30, 31 negative 23, 29, 34 & 36

& 32 loading)

Transactional 16 and 25 3, 4, 12, 20, 22, 1, 11 and 17

Leadership 24 and 27

Non-Transactional None 5, 7 and 33 28

Leadership

Leadership Outcome 37, 38, 39, 40, None None

41, 42, 43, 44 

& 45

Total number 20 11 14

of items

Note. Categorisation of items according to Bass and Avolio (1995)

Table 7 shows that Factor 1 is strongly representative of items

categorised as Transformational Leadership and Leadership

Outcome. There were only t wo items categorised as

Transactional Leadership. Factor 1 can therefore be identified as

Transformational Leadership/Leadership Outcome.

Factor 2 represents items categorised as Transactional Leadership

and Non-transactional Leadership (Laissez Faire). One item with

a negative loading, was categorised as Transformational

Leadership. The items listed as Transactional Leadership, all deal

with failure to take action when required, and with keeping

track of mistakes, irregularities, failures and complaints. Factor

2 can therefore be identified as Non-transactional Leadership.

Factor 3 is representative of items categorised as

Transformational leadership, and also three items listed as

Transactional Leadership. Factor 3 can therefore be identified as

Transformational Leadership/Transactional Leadership. 

The intercorrelations between the factors are given in Table 8.

TABLE 8

FACTOR CORRELATION MATRIX OF MLQ

Factor Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3

1 1,000 -0,116 0,375**

2 -0,116 1,000 -0,264*

3 0,375** -0,264* 1,000

Note:

** Statistically significant at 0,001 level

* Statistically significant at 0,01 level

Table 8 shows that Factors 1 and 3 are positively correlated

(r = 0,375; p < 0,001), whereas Factors 2 and 3 are negatively

correlated.   (r = - 0,264; p < 0,01). Three scales were formed

corresponding to the three factors obtained. To determine the

reliabilities of these scales, they were subjected to item analysis

using the NP 50 program. 

The item statistics in respect of the first scale are given in 

Table 9. 

TABLE 9

ITEM ANALYSIS OF SCALE 1 OF THE MLQ

Mean of  Standard  Item – Reliability

item deviation total index of 

of item correlation item

Item N Xg sg rgx rgxsg

Q 9 108 4,176 0,771 0,539 0,415

Q10 108 3,713 0,762 xxxx xxxx

Q15 108 3,852 0,759 0,487 0,369

Q16 108 4,000 0,785 0,521 0,409

Q21 108 4,306 0,676 0,482 0,326

Q25 108 3,815 0,763 0,549 0,419

Q26 108 3,769 0,953 0,683 0,651

Q30 108 4,139 0,716 0,560 0,401

Q31 108 4,074 0,693 0,700 0,485

Q32 108 4,102 0,683 0,559 0,382

Q35 108 4,620 0,524 0,506 0,265

Q37 108 4,111 0,601 xxxx xxxx

Q38 108 4,093 0,604 0,600 0,363

Q39 108 3,861 0,791 0,668 0,528

Q40 108 4,028 0,859 0,671 0,576

Q41 108 4,472 0,587 xxxx xxxx

Q42 108 4,139 0,755 0,720 0,543

Q43 108 4,380 0,607 0,574 0,348

Q44 108 4,074 0,720 0,742 0,534

Q45 108 4,204 0,720 0,660 0,475

Cronbach alpha = 0,889

Mean of test = 69,630

Standard deviation of test = 7,492

Number of items = 17

SUGREEN, SCHEPERS48



Table 9 shows that the obtained reliability in respect of Scale 1

is 0,889. Three items were rejected, namely items 10, 37 and 41.

The item-total correlations range from 0,482 to 0,742. Thus the

scale is internally highly consistent. 

The item statistics in respect of the second scale are given in

Table 10.

TABLE 10

ITEM ANALYSIS OF SCALE 2 OF THE MLQ

Mean of  Standard  Item – Reliability

item deviation total index of 

of item correlation item

Item N Xg sg rgx rgxsg

Q3 108 2,361 0,971 0,501 0,486

Q4 108 2,500 1,046 0,569 0,595

Q5 108 1,593 0,854 0,434 0,371

Q7 108 1,380 0,575 0,402 0,231

Q12 108 1,667 0,710 0,532 0,378

Q13 108 4,287 0,684 0,414 0,283

Q20 108 1,491 0,779 0,478 0,373

Q22 108 3,139 1,000 0,580 0,580

Q24 108 2,861 1,106 0,612 0,678

Q27 108 2,759 1,040 0,362 0,376

Q33 108 1,722 0,863 0,453 0,391

Cronbach alpha = 0,673

Mean of test = 24,185

Standard deviation of test = 4,742

Number of items = 11

Table 10 shows that the obtained reliability of Scale 2 is 0,673

and that the item-total correlations range from 0,362 to 0,612.

None of the items were rejected. The scale is internally highly

consistent, but there are too few items. 

The item statistics of the third scale are given in Table 11.

TABLE 11

ITEM ANALYSIS OF SCALE 3 OF THE MLQ

Mean of  Standard  Item – Reliability

item deviation total index of 

of item correlation item

Item N Xg sg rgx rgxsg

Q1 108 2,435 1,086 0,306 0,332

Q2 108 3,981 0,670 0,467 0,312

Q6 108 3,639 0,952 0,530 0,505

Q8 108 4,269 0,621 0,456 0,283

Q11 108 4,000 0,785 0,408 0,320

Q14 108 4,213 0,711 0,608 0,432

Q17 108 3,537 1,106 0,384 0,424

Q18 108 4,046 0,728 0,316 0,230

Q19 108 4,370 0,816 0,546 0,445

Q23 108 4,259 0,753 0,443 0,334

Q28 108 4,315 0,903 0,382 0,345

Q29 108 4,509 0,690 0,445 0,307

Q34 108 3,991 0,730 0,488 0,356

Q36 108 4,324 0,593 0,459 0,273

Cronbach alpha = 0,664

Mean of test = 55,889

Standard deviation of test = 4,900

Number of items = 14

Table 11 shows that the obtained reliability of Scale 3 is 0,664.

None of the items were rejected. The item-total correlations

range from 0,306 to 0,608. Although the scale is internally

highly consistent, there are too few items. 

Returning now to the major objective of the study, the canonical

correlations between the independent and dependent variables

were calculated. To test the statistical significance of the

obtained canonical correlations, Bartlett’s chi-square test was

used. The results are given in Table 12.

TABLE 12

STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CANONICAL CORRELATIONS:

BARTLETT’S TEST

Eigenvalue Canonical Root Significance of 

correlations removed remaining roots

�² df p

0,443194 0,666 0 74,458 18 <0,000001

0,122075 0,349 1 14,733 10 0,142

0,014147 0,119 2 1,453 4 0,835

From Table 12 it is evident that only one of the canonical

correlations is statistically significant [�² (18) = 74,458; 

p < 0,000001]. The obtained canonical correlation is 0,666.

The canonical correlation analysis is given in Table 13.

TABLE 13

CANONICAL CORRELATION ANALYSIS

Canonical Correlations of Original 

Correlations Measures with Canonical Variates

Variate 1* Variate 2* Variate 3

Independent Variables

1 Interpersonal Relations 0,844 -0,432 0,213

2 Planning -0,374 0,038 0,595

3 Perseverance 0,269 0,206 -0,106

4 Participative Management 0,474 0,361 0,485

5 Stress Tolerance 0,386 0,707 -0,331

6 Visioning 0,399 -0,024 -0,204

Average % variance 24,28% 14,34% 13,29% Total: 

accounted for 51,916%

Average % redundancy 10,76% 1,75% 0,19% Total:

12,7%

Dependent Variables

7 MLQ 1 0,927 -0,134 0,351

8 MLQ 2 -0,488 -0,870 -0,064

9 MLQ 3 0,818 -0,072 -0,570

Average % variance 58,90% 26,02% 15,08% Total: 

accounted for 100%

Average % redundancy 26,10% 3,18% 0,21% Total:

29,493%

Canonical Correlations 0,666 0,349 0,119

Note 

* Variates reflected

Table 13 shows that the following indices of the SPEEX-

battery (IV’s) have moderate to high loadings on the first

variate: Interpersonal Relations, Participative Management,

Stress Tolerance, and Visioning. Furthermore, the following

scales of the MLQ (DV’s) have moderate to high loadings on 

the same variate: Transformational Leadership/Leadership

Outcome, Non-transactional Leadership, and Transform-

ational Leadership/Transactional Leadership. As expected, 

the loading of Non-transactional Leadership (Laissez –faire) 

is negative. The highest loading on the independent side 

of the variate is on Interpersonal Relations (0,844), and 

the highest loading on the dependent side is on

Transformational Leadership/Leadership Outcome (0,927). 

The loading on Transformational/ Transactional Leadership 

is comparably high (0,818). The negative loading on 

Planning is probably meaningless for the small sample used 

(N = 108).

SELECTED SPEEX-BATTERY INDICES 49



The independent variables accounted on average for only 24,28%

of the variance of the X-variate. The dependent variables, on the

other hand, accounted on average for 58,90% of the variance of

the Y-variate. The low percentage of variance accounted for by

the independent variables is probably due to the ipsative nature

of most of the scales used in the study.

As far as redundancy is concerned, the independent variables

accounted for 10,76% of the variance of the Y-variate, and the

dependent variables accounted on average for 26,10% of the

variance of the X-variate. On the surface, this appears to be a con-

tradiction. However, if canonical correlation analysis is compared

with regression analysis, the results make good sense: The

regression of Y on X is not the same as the regression of X on Y.

The canonical correlation represents the correlation of the X-

composite with the Y-composite; given that the two composites

have been formed by assigning weights to the X-components

(independent variables) and the Y-components (dependent

variables) so as to maximise the correlation between the two

composites. The obtained canonical correlation is 0,666, and is

statistically highly significant. 

DISCUSSION

The principal objective of this study was to determine how

certain indices of the SPEEX-battery might relate to the

leadership dimensions of the MLQ. A factor analysis of the

SPEEX-battery yielded six factors, namely, Interpersonal

Relations, Participative Management, Stress Tolerance, Planning,

Perseverance and Visioning. A factor analysis of the MLQ yielded

three factors, namely, Transformational Leadership/Leadership

Outcome, Non-transactional Leadership and Transformational

Leadership or Transactional Leadership.

From the results of the empirical research it can be concluded

that certain indices of the SPEEX-battery, namely, Interpersonal

Relations, Participative Management, Stress Tolerance and

Visioning are associated with the Leadership dimensions of the

MLQ, namely Transformational Leadership/Leadership

Outcome, Non-transactional Leadership and Transformational

Leadership/Transactional Leadership. A canonical correlation of

0,666     (p < 0, 000001) was obtained between the indices of the

SPEEX-battery (IV’s) and the leadership dimensions of the MLQ

(DV’s). Thus, the hypothesis that there is a statistically

significant canonical correlation between certain indices of the

SPEEX-battery (IV’s) and the leadership measures of the MLQ

(DV’s) is supported. 

The canonical correlation also shows that Interpersonal

Relations are strongly related to Transformational

Leadership/Leadership Outcome and Transactional Leadership,

and negatively related to Laissez-faire/Non-transactional

Leadership. These findings are in accordance with the theory of

transformational leadership. The Interpersonal Relations,

Participative Management, Stress Tolerance and Visioning

indices of the SPEEX-battery can therefore be used to predict

transformational leadership. An important finding of the present

study is that 10 items of transactional leadership, as described by

Bass and Avolio (1997), are representative of the Laissez-faire

(passive corrective) Leadership dimension. This st yle of

leadership relates to hands-off leadership. It includes behaviours

such as an absence of leadership, avoidance in taking a stand, no

emphasis on results, refraining from intervention when issues

arise and unawareness of employee performance. In contrast, the

transactional leader, helps the follower identif y what must be

done to achieve the desired results, takes into consideration the

person’s self concept and esteem needs and relies on contingent

reward and management by exception. 

The major objective of a study by van Rensburg and Crous

(2000), using the Jackson Personality Research Form (PRF-E) and

the MLQ, was to identif y the personality attributes of leaders

high on transformational leadership. The distribution of scores

on transformational leadership was divided into low and high

scores. Two contrasting groups were formed i.e. those high on

transformational leadership and those low on transformational

leadership. The two contrasting groups were then contrasted on

certain personality traits of the PRF-E and statistically significant

differences in respect of the following variables were found:

Change, Affiliation, Achievement and Impulsivity. Using a

logistic regression equation with the above-mentioned variables,

it was possible to correctly classif y 86,5% of the subjects who

obtained high scores on transformational leadership, and 63,2%

of those with low scores.

The contribution that the present study makes to the field of

leadership is that a certain combination of indices from the

SPEEX-battery, including Interpersonal Relations, Participative

Management, Stress Tolerance and Visioning, can be used by

South African organisations to ensure that employees with

transformational leadership potential are identified.

Furthermore, relevant individual performance development

plans, across the diverse South African spectrum, can also be

based on the results of these assessments as part of a

developmental gap analysis. 

Appropriate identification and development of people with

leadership potential will also contribute to compliance with the

Employment Equity Act and the Skills Development Act by

providing organisations with the opportunity to set and

implement measures to achieve equity targets and organisational

goals. Schaap (2001) expressed a similar view in a report on the

psychometric properties of the SPEEX–battery, where the

evidence suggests that the SPEEX scales allow compliance with

the Employment Equity Act and the Skills Development Act. It is

also important to note that as a part of fair labour practice,

assessment tools such as the SPEEX-battery could be used in

conjunction with other suitable evaluation methods, such as

performance appraisal ratings, 360 degree ratings and panel

interviews, amongst others, for selection.

Also, as more organisations in South Africa move towards flatter

structures, continuous business improvement and digital

networks (e-business), the need for transformational leadership

becomes imperative. The survival of organisations is highly

dependent on transformational leadership to facilitate the rapid

changes. The premium placed on an organisation’s ability to

adapt, highlights the need for organisations to be able to predict

transformational leadership potential in order to ensure

organisational performance and service delivery.

Transformational leaders must be easily identified and

earmarked for development towards succession planning for

business survival. Building trust, increasing the diversity of the

workforce and developing the motivation to achieve the full

capability of the workforce requires leadership to transcend

transactional and laissez-faire st yles and become more

transformational. This can be done in the South African context,

through the use of the SPEEX-battery. 

The results of this study also suggest that future research on the

SPEEX-battery be considered, using normative scales only. The

low percentage of variance accounted for by the independent

variables is probably due to the ipsative nature of most of the

scales used in the study. Ipsative scales cannot be used to

determine inter-individual differences; they can be used to

measure intra-individual characteristics. The findings of this

research suggest that a further investigation into leadership,

using normative scales, is necessary.

In conclusion, the future of South African organisations is

dependent on their ability to recognise transformational leaders

and to place them in positions where they are able to drive the

organisational vision efficiently and effectively. As a locally

developed measuring instrument, the SPEEX-battery has been

SUGREEN, SCHEPERS50



tested for situational predictive validity and reliability. The

findings of this study suggest that this battery can be used by

South African organisations that have the intention of

competing with local organisations. This battery can also be

used by organisations that wish to enter and compete in the

global arena.

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