leadership paper

There is a link between an individual’s personality and the leadership style with which individuals are most comfortable and therefore more likely to use. The connection between personality and leadership style has been well noted by several researchers and leadership specialists (Bass, 2000, 2008; Pillai, Schriesheim, & Williams, 1999; de Charon, 2003).

It is important to understand your natural leadership style…so you can capitalize on your natural leadership strengths (or be aware of and address your natural weaknesses) for your career development, self-fulfillment and success at the workplace.

Journal of Leadership Education Volume 8, Issue 2 – Fall 2009 114

The 16 personality types created by Myers and Briggs (Myers & McCaulley, 1985) and adapted by Keirsey and Bates (1984) are a combination of:

EI (extroversion or introversion)

EI are ways in which people gather energy. E types are people who recharge when they are around people. I types are those who need solitude to re-energize.

SN (sensing or intuition)

S types are those who thrive on facts and Ns are those who tend to make decisions based on hunches.

TF (thinking or feeling)

T types are logical and objective in the decisions they make and Fs are more subjective and take things personally.

PJ (perceiving or judging).

Ps like to keep their options open and Js prefer deadlines.

No type is better than the other. They are all just ways in which we interact with the world and make decisions. Understanding these differences can, however, provide insights.