DIETITIANS SELF-PERCEPTIONS - IMPLICATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP

This article reports usual modes of thinking and behavior as measured by the Life Styles Inventory-Level 1, Self-Description (LSI-Level 1), which was completed by 893 dietitians who attended at least one invita tional leadership seminar during 1986 through 1989. The LSI-Level 1 me asures 12 lifestyles, both positive and negative, and there is a score for each style. On a scale of 1 to 40, mean scores of the study sampl e were highest for Affiliative (32.0), Humanistic-Helpful (31.6), Achi evement (31.1), and Self Actualize (28.8) styles. These are positive s tyles that characterize creative thinkers who have been described as g ood leaders: confident and energetic with balanced concern for both ta sks and people. When mean scores of the study sample were plotted on a scaled circumplex to give a visual profile of the scores, the Depende nt and Self Actualize styles were dominant; the study sample means wer e above the 75th percentile of the general population sample. Dependen cy is described as a self-defeating style characterized by insecurity, indecision, meekness, and acquiescence. Chi2 Analysis showed that stu dy respondents who had high scores in positive styles were significant ly more likely to hold graduate degrees, publish articles, conduct res earch, hold offices, initiate projects, and serve as mentors. High sco res in self-defeating styles were associated with the bachelor's degre e level and less involvement in research and continuing education prog rams. These results indicate that many dietitians possess attributes a ssociated with strong leadership skills; nevertheless, a substantial n umber reported self-defeating, dependent behaviors. Action plans to fo ster development of leadership skills and to design and conduct furthe r research on the topic are suggested.