This investigation sought to verify a theory I created called the Leadership Constellation. I believe that effective leaders need to possess three traits in tandem: Self-Awareness, the Ability to Build Relationships, and Flexibility. My theory posits that these traits cannot be viewed discretely, but in relationship to one another, as a triad. To test the theory operationally, I explored whether the Leadership Constellation was positively associated with job and leader satisfaction. Since no questionnaire could be identified which included all three traits, an instrument was created which was entitled the Leadership Constellation Questionnaire (LCQ). A pilot study (n = 112) was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of this new instrument. After an exploratory factor analysis, the LCQ was revised and deemed valid. The actual study then began which involved administering the LCQ to front-line workers at eight drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies in Northern California (n = 317). Results from a MANOVA analysis suggested that the scale can detect variation in the constructs across organizations and reflected very good measurement properties of the LCQ.

Subsequent to a confirmatory factor analysis, the next step involved seeing if the theory underlying the LCQ had empirical support. A structural equation model was computed that expressed each of the fundamental constructs as latent variables and included two direct paths and one indirect path that specified the pattern of prediction consistent with the theory. The model fit the data to the high degree of specificity demanded of such models, and thus served as a conceptually driven confirmation that the theory is not only testable, but is also empirically supported. As predicted by the theory, the Leadership Constellation consisting of Self-Awareness, the Ability to Build Relationships and Flexibility, predicted job satisfaction directly, and satisfaction with the leader both directly and indirectly through job satisfaction.