Predicting leadership: The assessment center's extended role

Abstract

Purpose

Predicting leadership demonstrates how assessment centers can be designed to meet the extended goals of assessing three broad‐based and particularly critical indicators of hospitality leadership effectiveness: the ability to respond to change, the ability to foster trust, and the ability to create inclusive work environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review reveals the most critical hospitality leadership needs in times of rapid and continuous change, and supports the assessment center approach as a means of judging key leadership competencies. The steps involved in developing a center to assess three particularly critical leadership competencies are outlined and challenges noted.

Findings

The assessment center is shown to be a valuable means of both assessing and predicting leadership talent beyond the scope normally associated with this method.

Practical implications

Assessment center methods can be extended to accomplish the organization's most important goal – preparing for, and responding to, future leadership requirements.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to both academic and practitioner readers interested in leadership development. It provides a rationale and practical guide for assessment center design and implementation.

Citation

Brownell, J. (2005), "Predicting leadership: The assessment center's extended role", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 7-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110510577644