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Longitudinal Bidirectional Associations between Personality and Becoming a Leader

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Listed:
  • Eva Asselmann
  • Elke Holst
  • Jule Specht

Abstract

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 leader-ship 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Asselmann & Elke Holst & Jule Specht, 2022. "Longitudinal Bidirectional Associations between Personality and Becoming a Leader," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1167, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp1167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Eva Asselmann & Jule Specht, 2023. "Climbing the Career Ladder Does Not Make You Happy: Well-being Changes in the Years Before and After Becoming a Leader," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1037-1058, March.
    2. Lehberger, Mira & Gruener, Sven, 2023. "(Why) Do farmers’ Big Five personality traits matter? – A systematic literature review," OSF Preprints jbx4p, Center for Open Science.

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