Resource 4: Taking and Interpreting Your Five Paths Assessment






The Collaborative Approach to Major Gift Work  ·  Resource 4 of 11 Taking and Interpreting Your Five Paths Assessment
Know Yourself — Resource 4

Taking and Interpreting Your Five Paths Assessment

The Five Paths to Leadership® measures preference, not ability. It shows how you naturally show up as a leader — and how that changes when pressure goes up. Your scores aren’t good or bad. They’re a map.

This resource has two parts: taking the assessment, then interpreting your scores specifically in the context of MGO work.

Step 1 — Take the assessment
The Five Paths to Leadership® assessment is hosted on the Academic Impressions platform. Open it in a new tab, complete it, and note your five normal scores and five stress scores before returning here.

You’ll need 10–15 minutes. Have a pen or somewhere to note your scores.

Already have your scores? Skip ahead.

Step 2 — Enter your scores

Your Five Paths scores

Enter your scores below. The normal score is how you show up day-to-day. The stress score is how you show up under pressure. Both matter.

Sweet spot (18–26)
Shadow risk (27+)
Intentional access needed (<18)
Critical Thinker
Normal
0 – 60
Stress
0 – 60
Relator
Normal
Stress
Visionary
Normal
Stress
Warrior
Normal
Stress

Please enter all eight scores (0–60) before continuing.

Step 3 — Your interpretation

Your Five Paths profile

Solid bar = normal score  ·  Faded overlay = stress score. Watch for shifts of 10+ points.

Step 4 — Reflect

Making meaning of your scores

Your scores are a starting point. The value isn’t in the numbers — it’s in what you do with them. Work through these questions before moving to Resource 5.

1. Do your scores resonate? Is there anything that surprised you?

Capture your answer in your own notes.

2. Where are you most at risk of leading from the shadow side — in donor conversations specifically?

Capture your answer in your own notes — think about your highest path and what it looks like under stress.

3. Think of a specific donor in your portfolio. What’s one thing you want to pay attention to in your next conversation with them?

Capture your answer in your own notes — if you know which CDRF phase that relationship is in, let that inform your answer.

Optional — not submitted or scored. These are for you.

Ready for Resource 5?
Resource 5 applies The Five Paths to Leadership® lens to donor behavior — so you can read a donor’s dominant style and adapt your approach accordingly. You’ll also meet James, a donor whose profile you’ll practice reading.
Resource 4 complete
You’ve interpreted your Five Paths scores in the context of MGO work. Keep this profile in mind as you move through the rest of the series.
PreviousWhy Self-Awareness Is a Major Gift Skill NextReading Your Donor Through the Five Paths Lens