Flavors of Leadership

Looking at Personality Is personality important to leadership? What role does personality play in leadership? Why do your personality traits matter? Why do the personality traits of your subordinates matter?

Personality in Context It is not straightforward, people aren’t books Look at behavior… Values say a lot about personal traits Personality doesn’t affect leadership, it affects style

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Most Popular Personality Test by far Developed by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs Looks at personality through four different perspectives Does NOT look at individual traits

Introversion vs. Extroversion Introverts Get their energy from ‘personal time’ Generally focus their thoughts inward Extroverts Get their energy from social interaction Thoughts are more outward focused Introversion vs. Extroversion It is all about energy

Intuition vs. Sensing Intuitives Sensors Focused on the ‘big picture’. Less inclined to small details “Why are we doing this?” Sensors Focused on the individual components Individual parts over grand concept “What do we need to do?” Intuition vs. Sensing

Thinking vs. Feeling Thinkers Feelers Prioritizes facts, evidence, and logic Less trustful of emotional decisions Feelers Prioritizes ‘gut intuition’ Trusts emotions to guide them Thinking vs. Feeling

Judging vs. Perceiving Judgers Perceivers Value structure and order Capable of following schedules Often very organized Perceivers Value flexibility and free-time Follows mental task-lists Often sporadic and less-organized Judging vs. Perceiving

MBTI in Context It is not a go to, be all MBTI can help you understand your people better Interpeting the Results

Final Question How much should we as leaders reference personality?