Behavior, Situation, And Rater Variance In Descriptions Of Leader Behaviors

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the degree to which behavior, situation, and rater factors explain variance in perceptions of leader behavior. Neither situational factors nor situational-behavior interactions explained much variance (less than 10 percent) in the observed variables; rater factors and behavior factors accounted for most of the explained variance. Peers appear to discriminate among fellow supervisors on the Initiating Structure dimension while subordinates are more likely to employ the Consideration dimension. It is felt that the data analysis descried in the present paper provides useful information not available through other data analytic methods and that other modes of data collection, such as interviews and observational checklists, may be desirable.