We know from decades of empirical research in adult development that leaders at more advanced stages of development are more effective than their counterparts in carrying out a variety of leaderships’ tasks, but also that few leaders have these advanced level of leadership (Joiner & Josephs 2007; Torbert 1987). But are leaders up to the task of handling complex issues at work? Knowing that the complexity and speed of change requires higher levels of adult development it seems obvious that there is a need for supporting managers to develop their level of development and maybe recruit leaders with a higher level of development. There is a need for research focusing on the link between adult ego development in leaders and transformational leadership (McCauley, Drath, Palus, O´Connor&Baker 2006), and studies on leader-follower interaction.

The aim of this study is firstly to examine the correlation between leadership behaviors, value systems and complexity, and secondly if the correlation between self report and subordinates evaluation of leadership are higher for individuals with more advanced levels of value systems and/or levels of leadership.

Participants are managers in 4 Scandinavian organizations in different market segments including municipalities. The mangers are invited to answer a basic web survey including three instruments: a value system questionnaire (Sjölander et al.2013); Developmental Leadership Questionnaire which is a hierarchical test based on the theory of transformational leadership and it measures leadership behaviors through a self-evaluation and a 360 test where subordinates evaluate leadership of the manager; and a complexity test. Some managers do only the self-evaluation and some a full 360 feedback test. The study is carried out in the spring 2014 and preliminary results will be presented.