How to capture leader's vision articulation? Development and validation of the Vision Articulation Questionnaire (VAQ)

Abstract

Leader's vision articulation is recognized as a vital part of successful leadership. Despite that the sound measurement of vision articulation has been widely neglected by scholars so far. Therefore, we developed and validated a 22-item instrument to comprehensively measure leader's vision articulation in two studies (overall N = 496). Theoretically derived dimensions are: Comprehensibility, Empowerment, Self-worth, Salience and Continuity of Collective Values, Relation to and Change of Intermediate Goals, Promotion and Prevention Focus, and Personalization. CFA supported a revised seven-factor model with a combined Values- and Goals-factor and no Prevention Focus-factor across the two studies. Correlations with leadership styles (i.e., transformational and identity leadership) suggest construct validity. Correlations and partial correlations with employee outcomes (i.e., affective commitment, occupational self-efficacy, innovative work behavior, job satisfaction, satisfaction with the leader, and team identification) suggest criterion validity. Regression analyses including transformational leadership and the vision articulation subscales further provide evidence for incremental criterion validity.