Topic 1 - Personality Types
Influence of Personality Types on Leadership Styles
It is true that leadership styles can grow out of personality types. Everyone has a natural
leadership style that will match their personality type. Therefore understanding your
personality type can help you lead better. One of the most powerful ways to lead effectively
is through self-awareness.
First know who you are. How you prefer to:
• think
• act
• socialize
Developing a style that reflects you naturally will enable you to:
• be more confident and competent
• earn the respect and trust of those who you work with
Personality quizzes and assessments can provide a starting point for self-awareness by
offering an analysis of various aspects of your personality that are linked to leadership styles.
While there are many personality quizzes and assessments available on-line, listed below are
two reliable personality quizzes to help you find out your personality types and how that can
influence your leadership style. They are:
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
https://www.visualdna.com/quizzes/
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As a leader, it is important to:
• balance personality as a leader and that means learning how to manage them
• accept and overcome blind spots
• accept that self-management does not mean you have to undergo a personality
transformation
• manage your traits to allow you to be yourself but with more skills
• grow and sharpen your ability to know
• manage your strengths while being willing to accept and make up for your weaknesses
While it is important to be self-aware, being aware of the personalities of others is equally
important to you to:
• communicate ideas effectively as clear communication and good work relationships
are foundations of effective leaderships
A deeper understanding of who we (and others) are can be valuable in dealing with team
members.
Lead by building better teams
You can lead better by building teams based on a deeper understanding of personality traits.
1. Take note of the personality traits you need before forming a team. Understand what kind
of person you need in terms of skills and experience. Think of personality traits that would
best fit your team.
2. Look for personalities that will fit into and complement you and your team. How
personalities fit together can make a big difference.
3. Pair team members who suit their personality type as this will make working together
smoother.
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Let’s look closely at the Personality Types included in the 16 Personalities and Big Five
Personality Traits so that you can start building and working with better teams.
16 Personalities
The 16 Personalities quiz categorises the personality types into four main categories which
are:
• Analysts
• Diplomats
• Sentinels
• Explorers
There are four personality types within each category and they have some common traits of
leadership.
They are:
1. ANALYSTS
“ARCHITECT” “LOGICIAN” “THE “DEBATER”
Imaginative and Innovative inventors COMMANDER” Smart and curious
strategic thinkers, with an Bold, imaginative thinkers who
with a plan for unquenchable thirst and strong-willed cannot resist an
everything. for knowledge. leaders, always intellectual
finding a way – or challenge.
making one.
The Analyst Leader Is one who:
• creates and adapts systems
• is guided by logic
• leans towards a "matter-of-fact" approach
• values innovativeness
Steve Jobs is an example of an Analyst as he was always keen to build something better.
Under his leadership, he brought about new and exciting products and Apple
continuously tried to make products better.
……
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2. DIPLOMATS
“ADVOCATE” “MEDIATOR” “PROTAGONIST” “CAMPAIGNER”
Quiet and mystical, Poetic, kind and Charismatic and Enthusiastic,
yet very inspiring altruistic people, inspiring leaders, able creative and
and tireless idealists. always eager to help to mesmerize their sociable free spirits,
a good cause. listeners. who can always find
a reason to smile.
The Diplomat Leader is one who:
• involves himself/herself with higher causes and values
• shines for his/her ability to inspire and to share a larger vision
• looks toward what the future can bring
Social change leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela are examples of
Diplomat leaders. Walt Disney is an example from the business and entertainment world.
Walt Disney brought us new experiences through entertainment and amusement parks.
3. SENTINELS
“LOGISTICIAN” “DEFENDER” “EXECUTIVE” “CONSUL”
Practical and fact- Very dedicated and Excellent Extraordinarily
minded individuals, warm protectors, administrators, caring, social and
whose reliability cannot always ready to unsurpassed at popular people,
be doubted. defend their loved managing things – always eager to
ones. or people. help.
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The Sentinel Leader is one who:
• is responsible
• will take care of business as an administrator
• gets all the details right and handles things in a meticulous way
• is likely to be strict about rules and protocols
• sees their leadership role as protecting and preserving society.
Most Popes as the chief pastor of the Catholic faith are Sentinel leaders. Their job is to
care for their flock by applying the principles of their church.
4. EXPLORERS
“VIRTUOSO” “ADVENTURER” “ENTREPRENEUR” “ENTERTAINER”
Bold and practical Flexible and Smart, energetic Spontaneous,
experimenters, masters charming artists, and very energetic and
of all kinds of tools. always ready to perceptive people, enthusiastic
explore and who truly enjoy people – life is
experience living on the edge. never boring
something new. around them.
The Explorer leader is one who:
• finds quick solutions to any problems that arise
• takes on an organization in a new and exciting direction
• doesn’t mind taking risks
• acts rather than plans and analyses
Richard Branson is an Explorer leader of Virgin now testing spacecraft and booking many
celebrities for space tourism.
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Strengths and Weaknesses
The 16 Personalities have strengths which you can harness to lead effectively while ensuring
weaknesses do not stand in the way of your team successes. Below are some strengths and
weaknesses of the 16 Personalities.
“ARCHITECT”
Strengths Weaknesses
Has a quick, imaginative and • Is arrogant
strategic mind • Is judgmental
o can see things from many • Is overly analytical
perspectives
Has high self-confidence
o has no reason to doubt
his/her findings
Is independent and decisive
o takes responsibility for
his/her own actions
“LOGICIAN”
Strengths
Is a great analyst and abstract Weaknesses
thinker • Is very private and withdrawn
o excels in analysing • Is insensitive
connections • Is absent-minded
Is imaginative and original
o has an unrelenting
imagination
Is open-minded
o is highly receptive to
alternate theories supported
by logic and facts
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“THE COMMANDER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is stubborn and dominant
• Is efficient • Is intolerant
• will root out inefficiency • Is impatient
• Is energetic
• genuinely enjoys leading
their teams forward as they
implement their plans and
goals
• Is self-confident
• trusts his/her abilities
“DEBATER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is knowledgeable • Is very argumentative
• takes up every good • Is insensitive
opportunity to learn • Is intolerant
something new
• Is quick thinking
• has tremendous flexible
minds
• Is original
• Is able to discard existing
systems and methods
“ADVOCATE”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is creative • Is sensitive
• uses creativity to resolve • Is extremely private
human issues • Is a perfectionistic
• Is insightful
• indulges in honest
discussions
• Is inspiring and convincing
• Has an inspirational writing
style
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“MEDIATOR”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is idealistic • Is too idealistic
o has a resilient attitude in the • Is too altruistic
face of challenges • Is impractical
• Seeks and values harmony
o prefers a more democratic
approach
• Is open-minded and flexible
o has a live-and-let-live
attitude
“PROTAGONIST”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is tolerant • Is overly idealistic
o is a true team player • Is too selfless
• Is reliable • Is too sensitive
o can always be counted on
• Is charismatic
o knows how to capture an
audience
“CAMPAIGNER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Curious • Has poor practical skills
o Want to go out and • Finds it difficult to focus
experience things • Over-thinks things
• Observant
o Notices all of these things
• Energetic and Enthusiastic
o Are excited about their
findings, and share them
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“LOGICIAN”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is honest and direct • Is stubborn
o integrity is very important • Is insensitive
• Is strong-willed and dutiful • Is always by the book
o works hard and stays
focused on goals
• Is very responsible
o Is loyal and fulfils duties
“DEFENDER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is supportive • Is humble and shy
o chooses empathy over • takes things too personally
judgment whenever possible • represses feelings
• Is reliable and patient
o is meticulous and careful,
taking a steady approach
• Is imaginative and observant
o observes others’ emotional
states and see things from
their perspective
“EXECUTIVE”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is dedicated • Is inflexible and stubborn
o Sees things to completion • Is uncomfortable with
• Is strong-willed unconventional situations
o Doesn’t give up beliefs • Is judgmental
• Is direct and honest
o trusts facts more than
abstract ideas or opinions
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“CONSUL”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Has strong practical skills • Is worried about social status
o manages well day-to-day • Is inflexible
tasks and routines • Is reluctant to innovate or
• Has a strong sense of duty improvise
o has a strong sense of
responsibility
• Is very loyal
o Is extremely loyal and
trustworthy
“VIRTUOSO”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is optimistic and energetic • Is stubborn
o is cheerful and good-natured • Is insensitive
• Is creative and practical • Is private and reserved
is very imaginative when it
comes to practical things
• Spontaneous and Rational
o is flexible and versatile
“ADVENTURER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is charming • Is fiercely Independent
o is relaxed and warm • Is unpredictable
• Is sensitive to others • Is easily stressed
o relates easily to others’
emotions, helping them to
establish harmony
• Imaginative
o uses creativity and insight to
craft bold ideas that speak to
people’s hearts
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“ENTREPRENEUR”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is bold • Is insensitive
o is full of life and energy • Is impatient
• Is rational and practical • Is risk-prone
o loves knowledge and
philosophy
• Is original
o combines boldness and
practicality
“ENTERTAINER”
Strengths Weaknesses
• Is bold • Is sensitive
o doesn’t mind stepping out of • Is conflict-averse
comfort zones • Is easily bored
• Is original
o loves to experiment with
new styles
• Has aesthetics and showmanship
o injects artistic creativity into
words and actions
Adapted from https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types dated 10 April 2018
The Big Five Personality Traits
According to the Big Five Personality Traits, most personality traits can be put into five broad
categories, now known as the Big Five. Each of these work on a scale. In other words, youmay
score high or low for each personality trait. Often referred to as OCEAN, these personality
traits are:
Openness Conscientiousness Extroversion Agreeableness Neuroticism
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Openness includes people who:
• like to learn new things and enjoy new experiences
• are insightful, imaginative and have a wide variety
of interests
Conscientiousness includes people who:
• have a high degree of conscientiousness
• are reliable and prompt
• are organized, methodical and thorough
Extravertion includes people who:
• get their energy from interacting with others (introverts
get their energy from within themselves)
• are energetic, talkative and assertive
Agreeableness include people who:
• are friendly, cooperative and compassionate (hose with low agreeableness may be
more distant)
• are kind, affectionate and sympathetic
Neuroticism (Emotional Stability) include people who:
• score high on neuroticism
• often experience emotional instability and negative emotions.
• moody and tense
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High and Low Scores
The Big Five traits have strengths which you can harness to lead effectively.
Openness to Experience
High Score: Low Score:
• Inventive • Consistent
• Intellectually curious • Cautious
• Prefers variety over routine • Persevering
Conscientiousness
High Score: Low Score:
• Efficient • Easy-going
• Organised • Careless
• Self-disciplined • Flexible
Extraversion
High Score: Low Score:
• Outgoing • Likes solitary
• Assertive • Reserved
• Talkativeness • Reflective
Agreeableness
High Score: Low Score:
• Friendly • Analytical
• Compassionate • Competitive
• Cooperative • Argumentative
Neuroticism
High Score: Low Score:
• Very reactive • Calm
• Vulnerable to stress • Emotionally stable
• Feels threatened by situations • Free from negative feelings
Adapted from https://www.visualdna.com/quizzes/ dated 10 Apr 2018
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