50 Leadership Survey Questions to Assess and Improve Your Managers

Effective leadership is the backbone of a thriving workplace. But how is it measured? The Forbes Business Council says there are 14 ways to assess and improve managers, but one of the best ways to get started is by using leadership survey questions to gather actionable insights. Doing so provides you with a structured way of gathering employee feedback on managerial effectiveness, offering insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.

These surveys also help leaders grow by giving them direct, actionable feedback from their teams. When done right, leadership feedback enhances company culture and strengthens employee engagement.

Identifying strengths, addressing challenges, and fostering a more supportive and productive work environment is not overly difficult, as long as you ask the right questions. 

In this post, we’ll explore 50 leadership survey questions designed to help HR professionals, team leaders, and executives assess and improve their managers. Let’s get started!

Best Practices for Conducting Leadership Feedback Surveys

Before diving into the questions, it’s important to ensure your survey process is effective, trustworthy, and designed to yield meaningful results. A well-structured leadership feedback survey can provide valuable insights that help organizations refine managerial strategies. 

However, if not executed properly, surveys can lead to vague responses, low participation rates, or even distrust among employees.

Here are some best practices to follow:

• Ensure anonymity: Employees are more likely to provide candid responses if they feel their answers are confidential.
• Keep surveys concise and easy to complete: Long surveys can lead to response fatigue. Focus on clear, straightforward questions to maintain engagement.
• Use a mix of rating scales and open-ended questions: Rating-scale questions help quantify employee sentiment, making it easier to track trends over time and compare results across teams. Meanwhile, open-ended questions give employees space to elaborate on their experiences and deeper insights into specific leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
• Communicate the purpose of the survey: Employees should understand that the goal is to improve leadership and workplace culture, not penalize managers.
• Take action on survey results: Gathering feedback is only useful if it leads to meaningful change. Share key insights and outline steps for improvement.

Assessing Leadership: 50 Survey Questions by Core Areas

To help you evaluate managerial performance, we’ve organized leadership survey questions for employees into five core areas. Each category focuses on a critical aspect of leadership so that you get a comprehensive assessment. These areas—communication, decision-making, employee support, inclusivity, and team collaboration—are essential for effective leadership and a positive workplace culture. 

Addressing these key dimensions will give you a well-rounded understanding of your managers’ strengths and opportunities for growth, empowering you to take actionable steps toward improvement.

Leadership Communication

Great leaders are often great communicators. From Martin Luther King Jr.’s electrifying “I Have a Dream” speech to Barack Obama’s inspiring addresses, history proves that the ability to convey ideas with clarity and conviction is a defining leadership trait. 

When leaders listen actively, provide clear guidance, and create an open dialogue, they set the foundation for a motivated and high-performing team. Here are some questions to get started: 

1. Do you feel your manager listens to and values employee feedback?
2. Does your manager provide clear and transparent communication about company goals and expectations?
3. How often does your manager check in with the team about challenges and concerns?
4. Does your manager encourage open and honest discussions within the team?
5. Do you receive timely updates about changes affecting your role or department?
6. Does your manager communicate in a way that is easy to understand?
7. How effectively does your manager adapt their communication style to different team members?
8. Does your manager provide regular feedback on your performance?
9. How approachable is your manager when you need guidance or clarification?
10. Do you feel comfortable raising concerns with your manager without fear of negative consequences?

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

Making informed, fair, and timely decisions helps effective leaders navigate complex challenges. They analyze situations and won’t let relevant information go unnoticed, on top of evaluating options to minimize risks and maximize opportunities.

Strong problem-solving skills help them inspire others to innovate and progress even in difficult circumstances. Through sound decision-making, leaders better allocate resources, empower their teams, and build trust. Here are questions you can include in your leadership questionnaire for managers: 

11. How effectively does your manager make informed and fair decisions?
12. Does your manager consider employee input before making major decisions?
13. How confident are you in your manager’s ability to make tough decisions under pressure?
14. Does your manager clearly explain the reasoning behind their decisions?
15. How well does your manager handle unexpected challenges or crises?
16. Does your manager involve the right stakeholders in decision-making?
17. How open is your manager to alternative solutions when solving problems?
18. Does your manager take accountability for their decisions, including mistakes?
19. How well does your manager balance short-term and long-term decision-making?
20. Does your manager encourage a problem-solving mindset within the team?

Employee Support, Conflict Resolution, and Growth

Great leaders support their employees in many ways, starting with fostering growth and positivity. Support can also involve fair conflict resolution, where employees’ opinions are valued. Addressing workplace challenges with empathy and fairness builds trust and strengthens collaboration. 

Use a leadership questionnaire for employees to evaluate these key aspects through the following questions:

21. Do you feel recognized and appreciated by your manager?
22. How often does your manager provide constructive feedback on your performance?
23. Does your manager support your professional development and career growth?
24. How approachable is your manager when you need guidance on work-related challenges?
25. Does your manager actively address and mediate workplace conflicts?
26. Do you feel comfortable discussing career advancement opportunities with your manager?
27. How well does your manager provide resources and support to help you succeed in your role?
28. Does your manager encourage work-life balance within the team?
29. How effectively does your manager handle difficult conversations with employees?
30. Does your manager foster a culture of continuous learning and skill development?

Inclusivity, Employee Empowerment, and Workplace Culture

A leadership survey for employees is not complete without gauging these three metrics. While it’s often said that companies should foster inclusivity, employee empowerment, and workplace culture, all of this starts with the teams of people within the company. Strong leaders have the opportunity to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 

The following questions assess how effectively leaders cultivate these qualities:

31. Does your manager treat all team members fairly and equitably?
32. How well does your manager encourage diverse perspectives in team discussions?
33. Does your manager create an inclusive work environment where all employees feel valued?
34. How often does your manager acknowledge and celebrate team achievements?
35. Does your manager support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion?
36. Do you feel your opinions are valued when contributing to team decisions?
37. How effectively does your manager empower employees to take ownership of their work?
38. Does your manager encourage professional growth for all team members, regardless of background?
39. How well does your manager promote a positive and respectful team culture?
40. Does your manager proactively address any signs of workplace discrimination or bias?

Team Collaboration and Engagement

Managers strengthen teamwork by creating an environment where employees communicate openly and support each other. That’s how leaders can improve how their members collaborate, which results in productivity and success. Don’t forget to include these in your leadership survey questionnaire:  

41. How well does your manager promote collaboration among team members?
42. Does your manager create opportunities for teamwork and cross-departmental collaboration?
43. How effectively does your manager recognize and address team morale issues?
44. Does your manager support and encourage team-building activities?
45. How well does your manager handle team conflicts to maintain a positive work environment?
46. Do you feel motivated and engaged in your role under your manager’s leadership?
47. How often does your manager encourage knowledge sharing within the team?
48. Does your manager support employees in balancing independent work with team collaboration?
49. How well does your manager adapt leadership strategies based on team dynamics?
50. Does your manager create an environment where employees feel comfortable voicing concerns or ideas?

How to Use Leadership Feedback Effectively

Collecting leadership feedback is just the first step—using it to drive improvement is where real change happens. Here’s how to make the most of leadership survey results:

• Analyze the data for trends: Look for recurring themes in feedback to identify strengths and areas for development.
• Communicate findings with transparency: Share key insights with managers and employees to build trust and show commitment to improvement.
• Create action plans: Work with managers to set clear, measurable goals based on feedback.
• Provide leadership training: Offer resources and coaching to help managers improve in identified areas.
• Follow up with additional surveys: Conduct regular leadership assessments to track progress and ensure continuous improvement.

Organizations can cultivate a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing workforce through leadership surveys and acting on employee feedback.

Strong leadership should hinge on communication, fairness, support, and empowerment. Investing in leadership development benefits both managers and employees, ultimately creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Looking to improve your managers’ leadership skills even more? Once you’ve gathered your survey results, put those insights into action with Positive Leader’s leadership development programs, including coaching, workshops, and training designed to help your managers lead with more empathy, self-awareness, and impact.

If you’re ready to transform your leadership development approach, contact Positive Leader today to explore the right training solutions for your team!