Leadership Derailers Assessment
Measures subclinical 'dark side' tendencies that surface under pressure, curvilinear scoring model
₹1,000 per candidate, before GST. See all prices
What is Leadership Derailers Assessment?
Grounded in Horney's (1950) neurotic trends and Hogan & Hogan's (2001) subclinical derailer research, this 40-item assessment measures eight 'dark side' tendencies — Volatile, Skeptical, Cautious, Detached, Arrogant, Impulsive, Dramatic and Perfectionistic — using a curvilinear scoring model where moderate levels are often functional and only elevated levels predict derailment.
What it measures
- Volatile
- Skeptical
- Cautious
- Detached
- Arrogant
- Impulsive
- Dramatic
- Perfectionistic
Key facts
| Assessment | Leadership Derailers Assessment |
|---|---|
| Items | 40 |
| Completion time | ~12 min |
| Derailer dimensions | 8 |
| Scoring model | Curvilinear |
| Price | ₹1,000 per candidate, before GST |
| Best suited to | Senior leadership development, executive coaching, and succession planning for high-stakes or high-pressure roles where derailment risk carries real organisational consequences. |
What does Leadership Derailers Assessment include?
- 40 items across 8 subclinical derailer dimensions, framed around behaviour under pressure
- Curvilinear risk bands (Low / Functional Range / Elevated) — not simple linear scoring
- Overall Derailment Risk Index weighting the top 3 elevated dimensions most heavily
- 5 documented compounding-risk interaction patterns (e.g. Volatile + Arrogant)
- 14-page report with Bright Side / Dark Side framing for every dimension
Why does it matter?
Standard competency assessments measure strengths but miss a distinct and costly risk category — behavioural tendencies that are functional in moderation but become derailing under sustained pressure. Hogan & Hogan's (2001) subclinical derailer research and Kaiser & Hogan's (2011) curvilinear leadership model established that this is a separate construct from competency strength, requiring its own measurement.
Who is Leadership Derailers Assessment for?
How does Leadership Derailers Assessment work?
- 1
Leader completes the 40-item derailers survey, framed around behaviour under pressure
- 2
AXIS360 computes 8 dimension scores using curvilinear risk bands
- 3
Report identifies elevated dimensions and any compounding-risk interactions
More leadership & development and where they are used
Frequently asked questions
Is a high score on a derailer dimension a permanent trait?
It reflects a behavioural tendency under pressure conditions, not a fixed deficiency — the report includes a full coaching and self-management plan for building situational awareness and conscious management of these tendencies.
Why isn't higher always worse on these scales?
Kaiser & Hogan's (2011) research found most leadership traits follow an inverted-U relationship with effectiveness — moderate levels are often genuinely useful (e.g. moderate Arrogant/confidence supports decisive leadership), and only elevated levels predict derailment.