Vistage Assessment - Jacqueline Wales

Executive Fearless Culture Assessment

This 15-minute assessment helps identify how fear might be affecting your organization's culture, leadership, and performance. Your honest responses will provide valuable insights for our consultation and help develop targeted strategies for creating a more fearless workplace.

Instructions:

Complete this assessment in a quiet space where you can reflect honestly
Consider your organization's current state, not your ideal vision
Answer based on observed behaviors, not intentions

Rating Scale:

1 = Rarely true | 2 = Sometimes true | 3 = Often true | 4 = Usually true | 5 = Almost always true

PART 1: ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

1. Team members openly share concerns and challenges with leadership

Rarely true Almost always true

2. People feel comfortable presenting alternative viewpoints in meetings

Rarely true Almost always true

3. The organization regularly discusses lessons learned from failed initiatives

Rarely true Almost always true

4. Cross-departmental projects run smoothly with minimal territorial issues

Rarely true Almost always true

5. Information flows freely between teams and organizational levels

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 1 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any specific examples or patterns you've observed related to organizational culture)

PART 2: LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS

1. Leaders acknowledge their own mistakes and what they've learned

Rarely true Almost always true

2. Executives demonstrate vulnerability and authentic communication

Rarely true Almost always true

3. Bad news travels upward quickly and safely

Rarely true Almost always true

4. Leaders encourage calculated risk-taking without punishment for failure

Rarely true Almost always true

5. Leadership demonstrates consistency between words and actions

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 2 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any specific leadership behaviors you've observed that might relate to fear)

"Leaders set the tone of their environment. When a leader is fearful or highly anxious, it affects the team." — Jacqueline Wales

PART 3: DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES

1. Decisions are made in a timely manner without excessive delays

Rarely true Almost always true

2. Employees have appropriate autonomy to make decisions in their role

Rarely true Almost always true

3. People take ownership of decisions rather than deferring responsibility

Rarely true Almost always true

4. The organization values progress over perfection

Rarely true Almost always true

5. Teams can adapt plans when needed without excessive approvals

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 3 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any patterns in how decisions are made or avoided)

PART 4: COMMUNICATION PATTERNS

1. Strategic changes are clearly explained at all levels

Rarely true Almost always true

2. Employees understand how their work connects to company goals

Rarely true Almost always true

3. Feedback flows in all directions (up, down, across)

Rarely true Almost always true

4. Difficult conversations happen respectfully and constructively

Rarely true Almost always true

5. People speak up about problems without fear of consequences

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 4 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any communication patterns that might indicate fear)

"Fear is one of the greatest motivators. It challenges you to think differently and forces you to develop the courage to move your perceived limitations." — Jacqueline Wales

PART 5: INNOVATION AND CHANGE

1. New ideas are welcomed and considered regardless of source

Rarely true Almost always true

2. The organization embraces change rather than resisting it

Rarely true Almost always true

3. Experimentation is encouraged even when outcomes are uncertain

Rarely true Almost always true

4. People challenge the status quo and existing processes

Rarely true Almost always true

5. Teams celebrate both successes and learning from setbacks

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 5 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any patterns regarding how innovation and change are approached)

PART 6: EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

1. Employees demonstrate enthusiasm and engagement in their work

Rarely true Almost always true

2. Team members express their authentic selves at work

Rarely true Almost always true

3. People take initiative beyond their formal job descriptions

Rarely true Almost always true

4. Employees voice concerns directly rather than complaining indirectly

Rarely true Almost always true

5. The organization has healthy levels of retention and attendance

Rarely true Almost always true

Part 6 Total: _____

Observations: (Note any patterns in employee behavior that might indicate fear)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What situations cause you to feel the most anxiety or hesitation in your professional role?

2. In what ways might fear be affecting your team or organization's performance?

3. What behaviors would you like to see more of in your organization's culture?

4. What one aspect of your organization's culture would you most like to transform?

5. What personal leadership change would have the greatest positive impact?

"By letting go of fear and insecurity, you discover your life grows in proportion to your willingness to confront the discomfort and think differently." — Jacqueline Wales

SCORING GUIDE

For each section:

21-25: Area of strength
16-20: Developing well
11-15: Needs attention
Below 10: Critical focus required

Overall Assessment:

120-150: Fearless culture thriving
90-119: Positive culture with improvement opportunities
60-89: Significant fear-based challenges present
Below 60: Critical cultural transformation needed

NEXT STEPS

Please complete this assessment before our scheduled meeting. We'll review your results together and develop a customized action plan to transform fear into a driver for growth in your organization.

___________________

Ready to Transform Your Organization's Relationship with Fear?

When complete please schedule your personalized consultation with Jacqueline Wales.

"Remove the self-imposed barriers that keep you from playing full out, and look for the opportunities that are waiting for you to show up." — Jacqueline Wales

Jacqueline Wales | Transformational Strategies for Success

Email: jacqueline@jacquelinewales.com | Phone: (646) 241-7115

www.jacquelinewales.com