ABSTRACT. The Perceived Leadership Communication Questionnaire (PLCQ) is a short,
reliable, and valid instrument for measuring leadership communication from both perspectives
of the leader and the follower. Drawing on a communication-based approach to
leadership and following a theoretical framework of interpersonal communication processes
in organizations, this article describes the development and validation of a one-dimensional
6-item scale in four studies (total N = 604). Results from Study 1 and 2 provide evidence
for the internal consistency and factorial validity of the PLCQ’s self-rating version (PLCQSR)—
a version for measuring how leaders perceive their own communication with their
followers. Results from Study 3 and 4 show internal consistency, construct validity, and
criterion validity of the PLCQ’s other-rating version (PLCQ-OR)—a version for measuring
how followers perceive the communication of their leaders. Cronbach’s α had an average
of .80 over the four studies. All confirmatory factor analyses yielded good to excellent
model fit indices. Convergent validity was established by average positive correlations
of .69 with subdimensions of transformational leadership and leader–member exchange
scales. Furthermore, nonsignificant correlations with socially desirable responding indicated
discriminant validity. Last, criterion validity was supported by a moderately positive
correlation with job satisfaction (r = .31).