Structural validity of the leadership circumplex in a South African setting

This study investigated the structural validity of the short form of the Circumplex Leadership Scan in South Africa. Using a cross-sectional survey design, we analysed an existing data set on self-rated leadership behaviours by 137 South African supervisors (women = 77; black African = 56; mean age = 37.58 years, SD = 10.14 years). For reliability of scores, we calculated Cronbach’s alpha and coefficient omega total. We employed the randomisation test of hypothesised order relations and circumplex covariance structure modelling to ascertain the structure of the eight leadership styles. Results from these analyses provided a satisfactory fit of the eight leadership styles to circumplex structure supporting the cross-cultural transportability of the model and its relevance to explaining a wide variety of positive and negative leadership behaviours. These results hold promise for the use of the Circumplex Leadership Scan in organisational and research settings in South Africa.