So, you think you are a business leader?
Do you believe Steve Jobs was born with an iPhone in one hand and an apple in the other?
Did Gordon Ramsay call the doctor who delivered him an idiot-sandwich, before preparing a Beef Wellington for the nurses?
What personality traits make for the best leaders?
Is there a certain personality type that is destined for leadership, while other types are destined to be followers?
Let me guide you through the behavioral science behind leadership and personality, looking at the traits, both natural and learned, that shape an effective leader.
Most leaders are pretenders. Are you one of them?
Leadership is not just about skills; it’s also about personality.
Scientists have long studied how our natural traits and learned behaviors influence our leadership style.
Are leaders born or made?
The truth is, it’s a mix of both. The science behind this question is constantly evolving, and as with most things in life, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.
Some people are naturally inclined to lead, while others grow into it through experience and learning.
One of the most widely used tools to explore personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
This test is not designed for use in hiring or candidate comparison. It lacks predictive validity and does not reliably predict job performance or leadership potential.
But use it for team building, communication workshops, increasing self-awareness, and career coaching or personal development.
The MBTI breaks people down into 16 types based on four key traits:
- Introverted vs. Extraverted (I/E)
- Intuitive vs. Sensing (N/S)
- Thinking vs. Feeling (T/F)
- Judging vs. Perceiving (J/P)
So, based on your own input, you could be called an INFP, ESTJ, or any other mix.
One standout type for leadership, according to MBTI, is the ENTJ combination, also known as The Commander.
This personality is known for bold thinking and strong direction.
Famous ENTJs? Think Steve Jobs or Gordon Ramsay as innovators who lead with vision and intensity.
Leadership is not a title, it’s a test. Are you even close to the best?
There is no perfect personality for leadership. Being bold doesn’t automatically make you a leader.
If you’re always pushy or rude, no one will want to follow you. You won’t inspire, motivate, or earn trust.
On the flip side, being kind and caring doesn’t guarantee leadership either.
If you’re too afraid to speak up, make tough calls, or set boundaries, nothing gets done, and your team will not feel protected or led.
But here’s the good news: leadership skills can be learned.
- If you are bold, you can build empathy, patience, and better communication.
- If you are sensitive, you can grow stronger, more assertive, and confident in taking charge.
Great leaders do not rely on personality; they build the skills to lead.
So you call yourself a leader? Let’s see how you really stack up
Whether someone is born with these traits or develops them over time with dedicated training, the following personality traits are essential to effective leadership.
- Extraversion
Extraversion involves being outgoing, energetic, and sociable.
Extraverts are likely to emerge as leaders, as they love to engage with people and often inspire others with their enthusiasm.
They have a lot of influence over their environment, and enjoy and gain energy from social interaction, which can be beneficial in leading and motivating teams.
- Conscientiousness
People who are high in conscientiousness are responsible, organized, and tend to follow through on tasks, paying attention to details, working hard, and are reliable and self-disciplined.
It’s one of the “Big Five” personality traits (along with openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), and is strongly linked to success in both work and life.
Conscientious leaders are perceived as reliable and excel not only in setting goals but also in motivating their teams to achieve them.
Their diligence and attention to detail often result in the effective execution of their plans.
People in this group tend to be self-disciplined experts who value getting things done to the best of their ability more than developing harmonious relationships with team members.
- Cool, Calm & Collected
It is the ability to balance your emotions, whether positive or negative, without becoming overwhelmed.
A strong leader remains calm, composed, and collected—even when things become chaotic.
They do not become moody, anxious, or insecure. They rarely lose their composure or temper.
Staying cool, calm, and collected is an essential personality trait for any leader, as it enables them to think clearly and make objective, rational decisions in the face of incredibly tense, stressful, or exciting situations.
Their steadiness, resilience, and level-headedness inspire confidence, resulting in better outcomes for their team and the organization as a whole.
- Empathy
Empathy involves the ability to understand another person’s emotions and perspective, and as we say, walk a mile in their shoes.
People with a high degree of empathy feel another’s pain, joy, and sadness as if it were their own.
Empathetic leaders are deeply attuned to the emotional landscape of their team and use that understanding to guide their actions and decisions. They are compassionate, collaborative, considerate, supportive, and excellent communicators.
They have the ability to make their team feel valued, respected, and seen for who they are, enabling them to foster a trusting, inclusive environment that drives engagement, enthusiasm, and loyalty.
- Dominance
Dominance is the drive to have control over or make an impact on the organization.
It involves a desire for power and status, a willingness to take charge, competitiveness, assertiveness, boldness, and a high degree of confidence.
Dominance, for obvious reasons, is a common personality trait found in leaders.
Dominant leaders are direct, assertive, decisive, goal-oriented, and are not afraid to take risks. In fact, they likely even enjoy it.
Their ability to stand up for what they believe in, or for their team members, in the face of adversity can inspire innovation, loyalty, and confidence, and ultimately lead to results.
However, depending on their communication and collaboration skills, it may also lead to conflict and hurt feelings.
Become a better leader with The Predictive Index
While all of the above traits are desirable in a leader, none of them work in isolation, and they all can be improved upon.
Yes, we are all born with natural skills and characteristics, but the journey doesn’t stop there. Not by a long shot.
The Predictive Index is a behavioral assessment tool grounded in behavioral science and psychological principles, focusing on understanding individuals’ core drives and needs related to workplace behaviors.
PI offers a structured approach to assessing and leveraging individual differences for improved leadership and organizational outcomes.
Learn more about how your organization can use behavioral science
Reach out to Tom Sorensen, who is an associate partner of Humanostics, one of PI’s appointed and trusted global leaders in helping companies with organizational development and making better hiring decisions.
Thank you, and credit to my PI colleague Jordan Nottrodt, who wrote the article: What personality traits make the best leaders?
