Many corporations today use the controversial Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, to label managers on four dimensions – as extroverts or introverts, thinkers or feelers, sensors or intuitors, and judges or perceivers.
The current research on leadership traits suggests that some factors do help differentiate leaders from nonleaders, though. Based on the research, the most important traits are:
- A high level of personal drive
- The desire to lead
- Personal integrity
- Self confidence
- Cognitive ability
- Business knowledge
- Charisma
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Personal Warmth
One important conclusion about these leadership traits is that they do not necessarily guarantee successful leadership, though. Many people have the capabilities of being successful leaders, but choose not to demonstrate them.
So I am curious, what leadership traits do you think are the most important?
Comments are closed.