The psychodynamic approach posits that one’s personality can be reflective of what type of leader one will be or what type of leadership approach is best suited for a person (Northouse, 2013). It is important for one to be aware of his or her own personality traits so that he or she can be a successful leader (Northouse, 2013).
“Carl Jung believed there are four dimensions important in assessing personality” (Northouse, 2013).
Extraversion versus introversion: Whether a person prefers to derive energy externally or internally.
Sensing versus intuiting: Whether a person prefers to gather information in a precise or in an insightful way.
Thinking versus feeling: Whether a person prefers to make decisions rationally or subjectively.
Judging versus perceiving: Whether a person prefers to live in an organized or a spontaneous way.
Let’s examine this first dimension. As stated in my previous blog about the Five Factor personality model, extraversion was listed as trait that was strongly associated with effective leadership. In fact, extraversion was the trait most strongly associated with leadership (Northouse, 2013). Extraversion is defined as the tendency to be sociable and assertive and to have positive energy (Northouse, 2013). “There are about three extraverts to every introvert in modern society” (Kroeger & Theusen, 2002, as cited in Northouse, 2013).
So can a person who is introverted become a successful leader? According to Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell Soup, one can. Doug admits to taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test at least six times and every time was classified as an introvert. The Myers-Briggs Indicator is a test one can take to determine one’s preferences for each of the four dimensions described above.
These results did not, in any way, hold Doug back. Doug stated, “All of us introverts aspire to be more outgoing, but it’s not in our nature” (Keating, 2012). He encourages others to embrace who they are and tries to inspire other introverts to become leaders as well (Keating, 2012). “Most people think of leaders as being these outgoing, very visible, and charismatic people, which I find to be a very narrow perception,” Doug added (Keating, 2012). If Doug had succumbed to this line of thinking, he may not have emerged to be the successful leader that he is today.
Keating, C. (2012). CNN Money. Introvert can be Leaders Too. Retrieved from
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/05/17/introverts-doug-conant/
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: SAGE
Personally I am an introvert and have been good in leadership positions many times, so I can understand what you were talking about in reference to Doug Conant.
For me, I knew I was an introvert even before the tests told me I was. When put into business situations that required me to be more outgoing than I am naturally I learned to adapt. Today there is a definite division between me in a personal setting and me in a business setting. Personally I hang back, watch, and analyze. I love people and I do engage but the more people around the less outgoing I am. Business situations however, I have no problem at all asserting myself and leading. It’s just that it’s a learned behavior that developed out of necessity.
The Five Factor Model is associated with the Trait Approach. This is one way the Trait Approach falls short in that it does not account for personal development. The skills approach however, is where the introverts who are good at leadership come in. This approach allows for learning of leadership skills (Northouse 2010). The Three-Skill approach lists technical, human, and conceptual as three basic personal skills needed for leadership (Northouse 2010). Being extroverted would fall under the human skill. If you are not naturally having the trait of extroversion, you can learn appropriate social behaviors for working with people leadership settings.
The psychodynamic approach falls into this in the middle of this where it helps acknowledge your natural traits honestly and then enable you to see what skills you need to learn to become a better leader. Extroversion seems to be one thing that the trait approach and the psychdynamic approach can agree upon, but it is the skills approach that allows those not naturally blessed with it to gain it.
References:
Northouse,P.G.(2010). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.