Longitudinal bidirectional associations between personality and becoming a leader

Bibliographic Data

ID19282014
AuthorsEva Asselmann (0000-0002-2132-8852, Department of Psychology HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam Germany, corresponding author), Elke Holst (German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) Berlin Germany), Jule Specht (0000-0003-2840-697X, Department of Psychology Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany)
Year2023
Volume91
Issue2
Pages285-298
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3506 • E-ISSN: 1467-6494
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jopy.12719
PMID35428997
OpenAlexW4223981138
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited63

OBJECTIVE: Leaders differ in their personalities from non-leaders. However, when do these differences emerge? Are leaders "born to be leaders" or does their personality change in preparation for a leadership role and due to increasing leadership experience? METHOD: Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study, we examined personality differences between leaders (N = 2683 leaders, women: n = 967; 36.04%) and non-leaders (N = 33,663) as well as personality changes before and after becoming a leader. RESULTS: Already in the years before starting a leadership position, leaders-to-be were more extraverted, open, emotionally stable, conscientious, and willing to take risks, felt to have greater control, and trusted others more than non-leaders. Moreover, personality changed in emergent leaders: While approaching a leadership position, leaders-to-be (especially men) became gradually more extraverted, open, and willing to take risks and felt to have more control over their life. After becoming a leader, they became less extraverted, less willing to take risks, and less conscientious but gained self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that people are not simply "born to be leaders" but that their personalities change considerably in preparation for a leadership role and due to leadership experience. Some changes are transient, but others last for a long time

Big Five personality traits · Extraversion and introversion · German · Personality · Personality psychology · Position (finance) · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychology · Social Psychology

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