Tools for reflection, feedback, and leadership growth
The People Lab platform helps learners reflect on how others experience their behavior across leadership, grit, communication, and situational awareness. Our Wharton-developed instruments are grounded in empirical research and built with a strong commitment to data privacy and ethical use.
People Lab instruments
Our tools are designed to prompt exploration—not to label learners or provide a report card. Each one offers a different perspective on how people show up, and how that can grow and change over time.
Leverage Inventory
Influence Tactics
- Agency
- Allocentrism
- Coalitions
- Ethos
- Exchange
- Intentionality
- Logos
- Might
- Networks
- Pathos
- Situation Awareness
- Team-Building
Evaluators encouraged, not always required.
Wharton Character Index
Character Strengths
- Grit
- Passion, Perseverance
- Generosity
- Giving, Matching, Taking
- Coachability
- Feedback Seeking
- Non-Defensiveness
- Motivation to Learn from Criticism
Evaluators encouraged, not always required.
Wharton Leadership 360
Leadership Competencies
- Diplomacy & Managing Conflict
- Emotional Intelligence
- High-Performance Teamwork
- Influence
- Leadership Communication
- Leadership Decision-Making
- Leveraging Culture
Evaluators required.
Wharton Personality Profile
Big 5+ Personality Traits
- Agreeableness
- Conscientiousness
- Decision Style: Maximize, Satisfice
- Emotional Reactivity
- Extraversion
- Openness to Experience
- Positive Affectivity
Evaluators not offered.
Video Interview Task Assessment
Person Perception
- Warmth
- Competence
Evaluators required.
of users say they are interested in retaking assessments.
Flexible by design
Learners can take self-assessments and, if applicable, gather feedback from peers. The platform provides clear results, explanations of key concepts, and curated resources—including articles, podcasts, and reflection prompts—that support development without being prescriptive.
A coach is not required. Many people engage independently or within a small group, while internal staff and external partners can access facilitation options ranging from one-on-one coaching to light-touch group debriefs.
People Lab instruments by learner group
Explore where People Lab is available to our Wharton and Penn learner communities.
Swipe horizontally to view all instruments →
| Leverage Inventory |
Wharton Character Index |
Wharton Leadership 360 |
Wharton Personality Profile |
Video Interview Task Assessment |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Undergraduate Students | Student athletes in the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy | Student athletes in the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy Students in the Leadership Compass program | Student athletes in the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy Students enrolled in PSYCH 0405 or OIDD 2000 | Students who attend Productive Dialogue events | |
| Wharton MBA Students | Students enrolled in OIDD 6930 or LGST 6930 | First-year students through the McNulty Leadership Program | Second-year students, required for the Executive Coaching and Feedback Program | First-year students in MGMT6100 | Students enrolled in OIDD 6930 or LGST 6930 |
| Wharton Executive MBA Students | Students enrolled in OIDD 6930 or LGST 6930 | First-year students through the McNulty Leadership Program | Second-year students, required for the Executive Coaching and Feedback Program | First-year students in MGMT6100 | Students enrolled in OIDD 6930 or LGST 6930 |
| Wharton Executive Education Programs | Executive Influence | Executive Development Program General Management Program Advanced Finance Program | Family Office High-Potential Leaders Women’s Executive Leadership Boards That Lead | Executive Influence |
Built at Wharton. Used across Penn and beyond.
People Lab was initially offered to the McNulty Leadership Program’s Leadership Fellows and quickly expanded to include all full-time MBA students. Today, learners include both internal and external members of the Wharton and Penn communities.
Groups including Penn Athletics and the School of Medicine have piloted the platform for team development, building shared language, and strengthening self-awareness. The program continues to grow in both breadth and depth.
The People Lab experience
The assessments helped me better understand my strengths and areas for growth as a leader. I enjoyed receiving honest feedback through the assessments, as it has pushed me to improve. PAWLA gives me a space to reflect on the present, learn from feedback, and grow as both a leader and a person.
Penn Varsity Women’s Volleyball Student-Athlete
The assessments have been very helpful and eye-opening to determine what leadership skill sets I want to build while at Wharton.
MBA student
This 90-second intro exercise is one of the coolest things I’ve participated in at Wharton over my long 2.5 years here! I found this exercise illuminating and personally validating after seeing my scores…I bet many will discover personal takeaways that they’ll want to fold into their final project reflection.
MBA student