Leadership Traits - Impact of Personality

Researchers assessing leadership personality traits use the five factor model. This instrument is not commonly used in business however it maps well to current brain science research.

Businesses tend to use Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, DiSC, Birkman and others. Businesses would do well to consider moving to the 5 factor model for its alignment with both brain science and has considerable leadership research using it.

The five factors are:

1. Conscientiousness

• Dependability, responsibility, perseverance, achievement, prudence, task focus

The more conscientious a leader the more effective the leadership, with a few exceptions.

2. Emotional Instability or sometimes Neuroticism

• Both unfortunate label choices as it forces speaking in the negative, such as “Neuroticism is negatively correlated with leadership effectiveness.”

Research confirms the obvious; the most successful leaders are emotionally stable.

3. Agreeableness

• Personal warmth, a preference for cooperation over competition, trust, acceptance of others

This trait also correlated with leadership effectiveness however may be less useful in situations requiring assertiveness.

4. Extraversion

• Sociability, gregariousness and talkativeness
• Assertiveness and dominance

Extraversion is positively correlated with leadership effectiveness. Extraverts develop a greater quantity of relationships which can be drawn on as leadership resources.

5. Openness

• Open to new experiences, value intellectual matters, interested in unusual thought processes, seen as thoughtful and creative.

Leaders exhibiting openness have more sources of input, more information and tend to make better decisions because of the increased input.

Return to Home Page Site Map Privacy Policy