Using LPLI Results

The LPLI results are intended to help you look for patterns of strength and weakness in your practice of ministry so that you can grow in effectiveness and improve over time. The LPLI results can be used for:

1. Self awareness. Comparing how you see yourself with how others see you can inform a more reliable self image. It can help you deal with others in ways that acknowledge their perceptions. It can identify unrecognized strengths and potential unrecognized weaknesses, making you more self aware in your practice of leadership.
2. Communication. Results of the LPLI can be used to facilitate dialogue among pastors and their denominational supervisors, supervising committees, and peer groups. The LPLI results can provide a framework for discussion and objective data to inform the process.
3. Improvement. LPLI results can be used to inform an action plan for improving your leadership performance. Both strengths and weaknesses need attention. You want to identify your strengths so you can build your leadership around those strengths.
4. Exercising strengths. Knowing your high-scoring categories can help you lead from your strengths. Look especially for strengths that you didn’t know you had. Think about how you can use them in your ministry. While no one can be strong in all dimensions, you must at a minimum find ways to manage or improve your weaknesses so that your ministry is not hindered. Develop strategies to leverage your strengths to shore up areas of weakness. Think about how you can draw on the strengths of others to reinforce your areas of weakness.
5. Continuing education. LPLI results can be used to establish priorities for continuing education activities targeted to your specific needs and goals. They can also provide clues about the kinds of resources and study needed to enhance your ministry effectiveness.
6. Coaching. Your LPLI report can be valuable input when working with a mentor or coach. A mentor or coach might be able to help you see things in your report that are not initially obvious to you. And the data on your strengths and weaknesses provide an important starting point for leadership development through a coaching or mentoring relationship.
7. Measuring progress. This LPLI report provides a baseline against which you can measure progress over time. If you take the LPLI again in the future, you will have an accurate way to gauge how you have changed and grown with the passage of time.

Several steps are helpful in processing the results of your inventory.

Step One: Familiarize yourself with the report format.

Take time to read the opening sections of the report that explain how the results are presented. Otherwise, the results cannot be properly understood or contextualized.

Step Two: Review your results.

Take time to read the report very carefully. Try to keep an open mind and avoid reacting emotionally. Think about what in the report confirms what you know about yourself and what is surprising.

Step Three: Identify the “gaps.”

Some of the most helpful clues will be found in the areas where your self perception differs from that of your observers. You can also identify places where your scores differ from the national averages.

Step Four: Discuss with others.

You will learn more from the LPLI process if you are willing to discuss your results with a supervisor, mentor, or trusted colleague. Some find it helpful to bring together those who completed the survey as observers to discuss the results. Opening yourself to feedback demonstrates to those with whom you work your desire to grow as a leader. In your Leadership Profile Report you will find talking points to aid your discussion.

Step Five: Develop an action plan.

Ask yourself, “What strengths could I use more?” and identify a list of ways to practice that strength. You may find it helpful to target two or three key areas for improvement and assemble a list of developmental opportunities. Develop a plan for practicing specific skills and behaviors needing improvement. Consider continuing education possibilities and ways to partner with others to improve your leadership performance.

Step Six: Seek additional feedback.

The LPLI categories can be used as a framework to help you assess your future work. As you move forward with developmental plans, ask for feedback from others regularly. Consider taking the LPLI again after a period of time to measure progress.