Using 360-Degree Review to Determine Stakeholder Perceptions of Political Leadership

This paper describes a study that aimed to determine whether different stakeholder groups share a latent mental model of behaviors associated performance in political roles. A 360-review questionnaire based on a role analysis to identify competencies and behavioral indicators for Parliamentary candidates was developed from for a major U.K. political party. Candidates selected to fight seats in the 2010 general election completed an on-line self-review questionnaire derived three months pre-election (n = 225) and three months post-election (n = 510). 360-degree ratings were also provided post-election by Local Party Chairs, political agents and nominated campaign members (n = 1047). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of data from these groups found good evidence for a shared model of political leadership with five factors: ‘leadership’, ‘representing others’, ‘building support’, ‘resilience’, and ‘analytical skills’.