Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, founders of the Zenger Folkman leadership development consultancy, have developed a free self-assessment that enables people to determine what leadership skills they have, and how they compare with others.

The assessment, which should take about eight minutes, sends users a feedback report that shows how they stack up against 45,000 other leaders who have taken the test. Folkman and Zenger based their evaluation on 16 leadership competencies, such as displaying integrity, focusing on results, taking initiative, developing others, championing change, and exhibiting expertise, among others.

The results will help you quickly understand where your strengths and weaknesses lie, increasing your self-awareness as a leader. The assessment also measures your level of engagement and satisfaction with your leadership role.

It is not an all-encompassing test of one's leadership ability, but is a quick and effective way to start. The assessment can be a good foundation for a personal development plan. Anyone who influences others in any capacity should consider trying out this tool.