Leader Personality: What Type of Person is Suited? Research Explained

How does a leader’s personality influence leadership?

What kind of personality do you think an excellent leader needs?

In fact, the relationship between leadership and personality has long been a focus of attention in psychological research.

However, past research results were confusing, and no consistent view had been obtained.

In this context, some researchers attempted to clarify the relationship between leadership and personality by conducting a meta-analysis using a personality model called the “Big Five.”

Their research results were published in a meta-analysis paper called “Personality and Leadership: A Qualitative and Quantitative Review.”

In this paper, the results of personality tests used in past research are re-analyzed using the framework called the “Big Five.”

In this article, we will explain the contents of this paper in detail. Please try to find hints for demonstrating leadership by knowing your own personality.

Once again, personality researcher and author of Villain Encyclopedia, Tokiwa (@etokiwa999), will provide the explanation.
※We have developed the HEXACO-JP Personality Assessment! It has more scientific basis than MBTI. Tap below for details.

Exploring the Relationship Between Leadership and Personality

What is Leadership

Leadership refers to the ability to influence and guide others toward achieving goals.

Excellent leaders have the following characteristics:

• Having a vision and clearly showing goals
• Motivating members and promoting teamwork
• Making appropriate decisions according to the situation
• Having high communication skills and building trust relationships

In other words, leadership is not merely power or position, but can be said to be a combination of important skills for involving people and guiding organizations.

Also, there is not just one leadership style, and it may differ depending on the situation and organizational culture.

Excellent leaders are required to demonstrate leadership that suits the environment while making use of their strengths.

What is the Big Five that Represents Personality

The Big Five is a theoretical model that classifies personality into five major traits.

Specifically, it consists of the following five traits:

1. Extraversion: sociable, active, energetic
2. Conscientiousness: responsible, planned, diligent
3. Openness: curious, imaginative, flexible
4. Agreeableness: considerate, cooperative, gentle
5. Neuroticism: prone to anxiety, emotional, weak to stress

These traits are thought to be formed through the influence of both genetics and environment. Also, each trait forms a continuum, and individual differences exist.

The Big Five is widely used as a simple and easy-to-understand personality classification method, and it also plays an important role in leadership research.

The Big Five can be said to be a useful framework for exploring the relationship between personality and leadership.

ビッグファイブ(Big Five)診断とは？概要・遺伝・MBTIとの関連

Leader Personality Analysis Using the Big Five

The Significance of Exploring Leader Personality

Understanding a leader’s personality has important meaning for demonstrating effective leadership.

Exploring a leader’s personality is meaningful in the following ways:

• Right person for the right job: By understanding individual personality traits, leadership roles that match them can be assigned.
• Leadership development: Deepening self-understanding, extending strengths, and compensating for weaknesses leads to improvement in leadership ability.
• Improving team performance: By understanding members’ personalities and taking approaches that match each person’s characteristics, team performance can be maximized.

In other words, knowing a leader’s personality brings benefits to both individuals and organizations.

The element of personality cannot be ignored when seeking the optimal form of leadership.

Clarifying the relationship between personality and leadership can be said to be one of the important themes in leadership research.

リーダー研修１０個のポイント！次世代リーダーの育成方法

Extraversion: The Personality Trait Most Strongly Related to Leadership

According to the research introduced at the beginning, extraversion was revealed to be the personality trait with the strongest positive correlation with leadership.

Extroverted people tend to have the following characteristics.

• Social and enjoy being in front of people
• Strong in self-assertion and actively express opinions
• Energetic and active

These characteristics can be said to overlap significantly with the qualities required for leadership.

For example, extroverted leaders actively communicate with members and are likely to demonstrate the power to lead teams.

Additionally, it was found that extroverted people tend to be easily treated as “leaders” by those around them (emergence).

Extraversion can be said to be one of the important personality traits that support leadership.

外向性とは？ビッグファイブ診断・MBTIのEとIとの関連など

Conscientiousness: A Personality Trait Deeply Related to Leadership

Conscientiousness is a personality trait that has been shown to have a strong positive correlation with leadership, second only to extraversion.

Conscientious people tend to have the following characteristics.

• Have a strong sense of responsibility and keep promises
• Are planned and act steadily toward goal achievement
• Are diligent and persistently committed

These characteristics are considered to play an important role in enhancing “leader effectiveness“.

“Leader effectiveness” means, for example, that conscientious leaders are more likely to gain trust from subordinates and can work together as one toward achieving organizational goals. They have “effectiveness” as leaders toward their subordinates.

In other words, conscientiousness can be said to be a particularly important personality trait for enhancing one’s ability as a leader.

It can be said that the importance of conscientiousness as a foundation supporting leadership has been demonstrated once again.

誠実性とは？ビッグファイブ診断・MBTIのJとPとの関連など

Openness: A Personality Trait with a Certain Relationship to Leadership

Openness was revealed to have a moderate positive correlation with leadership. It ranks after extraversion and conscientiousness.

People high in openness tend to have the following characteristics.

• Have curiosity toward new ideas and experiences
• Are creative and can think outside existing frameworks
• Accept change and can respond flexibly

These characteristics are considered particularly useful for leadership in rapidly changing environments.

For example, leaders high in openness can actively tackle new challenges and find innovative solutions.

Additionally, analysis results showed that openness is related to both leader emergence and effectiveness.

In other words, openness can be said to be a personality trait that influences both the ease of being recognized as a leader and actual effectiveness as a leader.

The importance of openness is considered to be increasing in leadership required in the era of change.

開放性とは？ビッグファイブ診断・MBTIのNとSとの関連など

Neuroticism: A Personality Trait with a Negative Relationship to Leadership

High neuroticism is a personality trait shown to have a negative correlation with leadership.

People high in neuroticism tend to have the following characteristics.

• Easily feel anxiety and tension
• Weak to stress and easily become emotional
• Have difficulty maintaining confidence and tend to have negative views

These characteristics are considered to potentially reduce leadership effectiveness.

For example, leaders high in neuroticism may have difficulty making decisions under stress or may cause anxiety in subordinates.

Additionally, analysis results revealed that neuroticism has a particularly strong relationship with leader effectiveness.

In other words, neuroticism can be said to be a personality trait that directly influences one’s ability as a leader.

Controlling neuroticism is considered important for demonstrating leadership.

神経症傾向とは？ビッグファイブ診断・MBTIとの関連など解説

Agreeableness: A Personality Trait with Weak Association to Leadership

Compared to other personality traits, agreeableness has been shown to have a weak association with leadership.

People with high agreeableness tend to have the following characteristics:

• They are compassionate toward others and cooperative
• They value interpersonal relationships and prioritize harmony
• They tend to be modest with weak self-assertion

These traits are not necessarily directly connected to leadership.

For example, leaders with excessively high agreeableness may delay decision-making due to over-respecting members’ opinions.

Additionally, the analysis results showed almost no association between agreeableness and leader emergence.

In other words, this suggests the possibility of both highly agreeable leaders and less agreeable leaders. Kind leaders and strict leaders. Low agreeableness strengthens dark triad tendencies.

Further research is needed regarding the positioning of agreeableness as a personality trait that supports leadership.

ナルシストCEOとは？ダークリーダーの良し悪しを論文で解説

The Relationship Between Leader Personality and Leadership Aspects

The Relationship Between Leader Emergence and Extraversion/Conscientiousness

Extraversion and conscientiousness have been shown to have a strong positive correlation with being treated as a leader (emergence).

• People with high extraversion tend to be recognized as leaders due to their sociable and active characteristics.
• People with high conscientiousness are likely to be chosen as leaders because they have strong responsibility and are easily trusted.

In other words, extraversion and conscientiousness can be said to be personality traits that promote emergence as a leader. Having these traits is considered advantageous for being recognized as a leader.

On the other hand, regarding the association with leader effectiveness, conscientiousness showed a stronger relationship than extraversion.

This suggests that the required personality traits may differ slightly between leader emergence and effectiveness.

Further research on the role of extraversion and conscientiousness in leadership is expected.

It can be said that the importance of extraversion and conscientiousness as personality traits supporting leader emergence has been demonstrated once again.

The Relationship Between Leader Effectiveness and Neuroticism

High neuroticism has been shown to have a negative correlation with leader effectiveness.

• People with high neuroticism have characteristics of being weak against anxiety and stress, which may reduce their effectiveness as leaders.
• In particular, concerns arise about decision-making under stress and negative impacts on subordinates.

In other words, neuroticism can be said to be a personality trait that hinders leader effectiveness. To demonstrate ability as a leader, it is considered important to control neuroticism.

On the other hand, the association between neuroticism and leader emergence was shown to be not as strong as with effectiveness.

This suggests that neuroticism may have a greater impact on actual leadership effects rather than whether one is recognized as a leader.

Further research on the influence of neuroticism in leadership is expected. It can be said that managing neuroticism will be an important challenge for enhancing leader effectiveness.

Different Influences of Personality Traits Depending on Leadership Aspects

It became clear that the influence of personality traits differs depending on the aspect of leadership (emergence and effectiveness).

• Extraversion showed a particularly strong association with leader emergence, while its association with effectiveness was somewhat weaker.
• Conscientiousness showed a strong association with leader effectiveness, while its association with emergence was not as strong as extraversion.
• Neuroticism showed a strong negative association with leader effectiveness, while its association with emergence was relatively weak.

These results suggest that the required personality traits may differ depending on the aspect of leadership.

It is considered that extraversion plays a more important role in leader emergence, while conscientiousness and (low) neuroticism play more important roles in effectiveness.

In leadership research, it can be said that it is important to examine emergence and effectiveness separately.

Additionally, in leadership development, it is considered necessary to strengthen personality traits according to each aspect.

Understanding the influence of personality traits based on the multifaceted nature of leadership is important.

The Relationship Between Leader Personality and Target Groups

Leader Personality and Leadership in Business Groups

In business group leadership, extroversion and openness have been shown to be particularly important personality traits.

• In business environments, sociability and activeness are required, so high extroversion is considered to be strongly related to leadership.
• At the same time, adaptability to change and creativity are also valued, so openness can be said to be deeply related to leadership.

On the other hand, in business groups, it was also revealed that the relationship between conscientiousness or neuroticism and leadership is not as strong as in other groups.

From this, it can be said that in business environments, extroversion and openness are the key personality traits for leadership.

However, depending on the situation, other personality traits may also play important roles. Further research is expected on the relationship between leadership and personality traits in business groups.

In the selection and development of business leaders, it is considered effective to pay particular attention to extroversion and openness.

At the same time, flexibility to consider other personality traits according to the situation will be required.

起業家の性格とは？どんな人が成果を出す？論文を解説

Leader Personality and Leadership in Government and Military Groups

In government and military groups, the relationship between extroversion and leadership was shown to be particularly strong.

• In government and military organizations, presence and influence as a leader are valued, so high extroversion is considered to be strongly connected to leadership.
• On the other hand, it was also revealed that the relationship between other personality traits and leadership is not as strong as extroversion.

From this, it can be said that in government and military groups, extroversion is the most important personality trait that determines leadership.

However, depending on the situation, other personality traits may also play certain roles.

For example, conscientiousness is considered an important trait for gaining trust from subordinates.

Further research is expected on the relationship between leadership and personality traits in government and military groups.

In leader selection and development in government and military organizations, emphasizing extroversion is considered effective.

At the same time, consideration for the balance of other personality traits according to the situation will be required.

Leader Personality and Leadership in Student Groups

In student groups, it was revealed that all Big Five personality traits are related to leadership.

• Extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness showed positive correlations with leadership.
• Neuroticism showed a negative relationship with leadership.
• Agreeableness also showed a relatively strong relationship with leadership compared to other groups.

From these results, it is considered that in student groups, personality traits in general influence leadership. In particular, the importance of extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness can be said to be high.

The student period is considered the time when the influence of personality traits on leadership appears most prominently.

In selecting and developing student leaders, it can be said that supporting the development of balanced personality traits is important.

Also, leadership experiences during student years may become the foundation for future leadership abilities.

Further research is expected on the relationship between leadership and personality traits in student groups.

Consistency of Extroversion’s Influence

Extroversion has been shown to be the personality trait most strongly related to leadership in all groups.

• In business groups, government and military groups, and student groups alike, extroversion showed positive correlations with leadership.
• Particularly in government and military groups, the influence of extroversion stood out compared to other personality traits.

From these results, extroversion can be said to be one of the most important personality traits supporting leadership.

Regardless of the type of group, the tendency for high extroversion to be connected to leadership has been revealed.

Extroverted people are considered to easily demonstrate their presence as leaders through sociability and activeness. In leadership research, it can be said that emphasizing the role of extroversion is important.

Also, in leadership development, approaches that enhance extroversion may be effective.

Further research is expected on the relationship between extroversion and leadership.

Extroversion can be said to be a universal personality trait that supports leadership.

Group Differences in the Influence of Other Personality Traits

The relationship between personality traits other than extroversion and leadership showed different tendencies depending on the group.

• In business groups, openness was strongly related to leadership, but the relationship with conscientiousness and neuroticism was shown to be relatively weak.
• In government and military groups, the association between personality traits other than extraversion and leadership showed a generally weak tendency.
• In student groups, it was revealed that conscientiousness and openness are associated with leadership, following extraversion.

From these results, it is considered that the impact of personality traits other than extraversion on leadership differs depending on the characteristics of the group.

The personality traits that become important may change depending on the type of leader each group seeks and the situations they are placed in.

In leadership research, it can be said that consideration taking into account group characteristics is important.

Also, in leadership development, it is required to identify personality traits that should be developed with emphasis according to the characteristics of the group.

Understanding the relationship between personality traits and leadership based on group differences can be said to be important.

スタートアップを成功させたいなら性格診断！論文解説

Association Between Leader Personality and Leadership Across All Big Five Traits

Multiple Correlation Coefficient with Leadership Revealed by Multiple Regression Analysis

As a result of multiple regression analysis using the five personality traits of the Big Five, the multiple correlation coefficient with leadership was 0.48, showing a relatively strong association.

• This result means that leadership can be explained to some extent by the Big Five personality traits as a whole.
• In other words, personality traits can be said to be one of the important factors related to leadership.

On the other hand, it was also revealed that there is not a perfect association.

From this, it is considered that factors other than personality traits also influence leadership.

For example, knowledge, skills, and experience can be mentioned. To comprehensively understand leadership, it can be said that it is important to examine personality traits in combination with other factors.

Also, the value of the multiple correlation coefficient may differ depending on aspects of leadership (emergence and effectiveness).

Multi-faceted research on the relationship between leadership and personality traits is expected.

Personality traits are one of the important factors related to leadership, but comprehensive understanding taking other factors into consideration is required.

富裕層の性格とは？努力した人と相続した人の違いを解説

The Magnitude of Conscientiousness’s Influence on Leadership

Among the Big Five personality traits, conscientiousness was shown to have the strongest influence on leadership.

• As a result of multiple regression analysis, the standardized partial regression coefficient of conscientiousness showed the highest value (β=.29).
• From this, conscientiousness can be said to be one of the most important personality traits for predicting leadership.

People with high conscientiousness tend to have strong sense of responsibility, be diligent, and have planning abilities.

These characteristics are considered to play an important role in enhancing effectiveness as a leader.

They can gain trust from subordinates and take steady action toward achieving organizational goals.

In leadership research, it can be said that emphasizing the role of conscientiousness is important.

Also, in leadership development, approaches that enhance conscientiousness may be effective.

Further research on the relationship between conscientiousness and leadership is expected.

Conscientiousness can be said to be one of the core personality traits that support leadership.

The Influence of Extraversion and Openness on Leadership

These two traits were revealed to have strong influence on leadership, following conscientiousness.

• As a result of multiple regression analysis, the standardized partial regression coefficients of extraversion and openness were β=.27 and β=.21, respectively.
• From this, extraversion and openness can be said to be important personality traits for predicting leadership, following conscientiousness.

People with high extraversion have sociable and active characteristics.

Also, people with high openness have curiosity toward new ideas and tend to be creative. These traits are considered to be helpful in demonstrating leadership.

Leaders who possess both extraversion and openness will be able to unite teams and generate innovative solutions.

In leadership research, it can be said that paying attention to the interaction between extraversion and openness is important.

Also, in leadership development, balancing extraversion and openness will be required.

Extraversion and openness, along with conscientiousness, can be said to be important personality traits that support leadership.

Finally

Everyone, up to this point, regarding the relationship between leadership and personality, through this research, the following things have been revealed.

1. High extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness, along with low neuroticism, tend to be associated with effective leadership.
2. Different personality traits may be required depending on the aspect of leadership (leader emergence and effectiveness).
3. The relationship between leadership and personality may vary depending on group characteristics (business, government/military, students).

These findings provide important insights for you to demonstrate leadership.

It’s important to understand your personality traits and leverage your strengths while compensating for weaknesses. It’s also necessary to change your leadership style according to the situation.

However, personality is just one of the factors that influence leadership. Knowledge, skills, and experience also play important roles.

To develop leadership, it’s important to improve yourself in various aspects, not just personality.

This research was an important step that bridges personality psychology and leadership research. Further expansion of research on the relationship between personality and leadership is expected in the future.

By knowing your personality, you too can find hints for demonstrating leadership. Through various experiences, establish your own leadership style.

Leadership is not an ability that only special people can demonstrate. Each and every one of you has the potential to demonstrate leadership while making use of your individuality.

Please utilize the insights gained from this research and pursue your own unique leadership.