# Least-Preferred Coworker Scale: Definition and How Scale Works

## What Is the Least-Preferred Coworker Scale?

Developed by American scholar Fred Fiedler, the scale identifies whether an individual's [leadership style](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/michigan-leadership-studies.asp) is either relationship-oriented or task-oriented.

The Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) Scale requires a person to rate the one individual they would [least want to work](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/09/10-coworker-personality-conflicts.asp) with—the least-preferred co-worker—using a range of 18 to 25 opposing (positive or negative) adjectives, with ratings from 1 to 8. The LPC score is then computed by totaling all the ratings. A high LPC score indicates that the individual is a relationship-oriented leader, while a low LPC score suggests a task-oriented leader.

### Key Takeaways

*   The Least-Preferred Coworker Scale (LPC) is a management heuristic that assigns an individual's leadership style as either task-oriented or relationship-oriented.
*   The scale utilizes a subjective evaluation of an individual's attitudes toward their least favorable co-worker.
*   By seeing how one responds to evaluating the one person they'd least prefer to work with, overall management style can be inferred.
*   The leadership-member relationship is a barometer of how much influence and trust exists between the team and its leader.
*   The model presented by the scale presents the notion that no single leadership style is perfect or ideal, as the needs change depending on circumstances and context.

## How the Least-Preferred Coworker Scale Works

A typical set of opposing adjectives used in the LPC scale would include pleasant or unpleasant, friendly or unfriendly, supportive or hostile, and so on. The responses are graded from 1 for the least favorable attribute (for example, unpleasant or unfriendly), to 8 for the most favorable one (pleasant or friendly).

The LPC scale assumes that people whose [leadership](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/leadership.asp) style is relationship-oriented tend to describe their least preferred co-workers in a more positive manner, while those whose style is task-oriented rate them more negatively.

## Applying the LPC Scale

The scale is based on the notion that no single leadership style is perfect or ideal, as an [organization's needs change](https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-identify-workplace-will-help-you-succeed/) depending on circumstances and context. For instance, a team made up of veteran workers well-versed in their tasks may be served best by a relationship-oriented style of leadership. The team doesn't require heavy-handed approaches like strict guidelines that a less experienced team might need.

Similarly, a veteran team may at times need task-oriented leadership. Such instances might include if a deadline is looming, or if the goals include sensitive milestones that will be difficult to achieve. If the team is made up of both [veteran professionals](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/soft-skills.asp) and untrained staff, the situational needs of the objective could mean leadership styles may change based on the moment or the individuals who need guidance.

## Special Considerations

[Situational favorableness](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hersey-and-blanchard-model.asp) also plays a role in the leadership style adopted. The leadership-member relationship is a barometer of how much influence and trust exists between the team and its leader. If this bond is weak, the leader can be said to hold a weak position in this regard. This can be swayed by the leader’s position of power in the organization.

The amount of power and authority a leader has to direct the team who works for them might be described as strong, meaning they have clear control to see their mandates are followed. If that power is weak, they have less control over the team to ensure the action that is taken.