According to Judge, Bono, Ilies, and Gerhardt’s 2002 meta-analysis, there is a “strong relationship between the Big Five traits and leadership.” (Northouse, 2013) The “Big Five traits” are defined as neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. (Northouse, 2013) Specifically, they found that extraversion carried the most weight. If that is the case, why isn’t Robin Williams the President of the United States? It’s certainly worked for most of our presidents thus far, right? In fact, according to both Rubenzer & Faschingbauer and Young & French, US Presidents are believed to be more effective if they’re seen as extraverted. (Rubenzer & Faschingbauer, 2004; Young & French, 1996)
Instead, Ronald Riggio, Ph.D. argues that social skills should be examined. As he explains, “Think of extraversion as a potential for social effectiveness–a sort of social ‘energy.’ But if the person lacks the social skills to direct that energy, then the person will not be socially effective.” (Riggio, 2011) Without going into my personal political beliefs, those who believe the current administration has failed might say this is why. There is no question that a high level of extraversion exists, however accomplishing goals is perceived to be a problem over the last four years.
Taking the political example even further, a possible explanation of extraversion and effectiveness may lie just as much with the followers as with the leader. In a study by Grant, Patterson and Hofmann, it was found that extraverted leaders tend to be most effective with introverted followers and introverted leaders are most effective with extraverted followers. (Grant, Patterson and Hofmann, 2011) The study found that pairing extraverts with extraverts and introverts with introverts created a friction that prevented work from being accomplished. Related to the earlier political comparison, it could stand to reason that a presidential administration may be more or less effective depending on the combination of personalities involved. If we have an extraverted President (as most are perceived by the nature of campaigning), the most effective follower would be an introverted Senate and House. Even reading that might make you chuckle, as we rarely describe any politician as introverted.
In the end, even the most extraverted president will be ineffective if facing a combination of an extraverted support system and a lack of social skills allowing him/her to direct that energy. Looking at it that way, we can never say never to Robin Williams as President, as extraversion is just the tip of the iceberg in leadership effectiveness. There’s always a write in vote, right?
Grant, A.M., Patterson, Gino, F. & Hofmann, D.A. (2011). Reversing the extraverted leadership advantage: The roles of employee proactivity. Academy of Management Journal, 54(3). Retrieved from http://www.management.wharton.upenn.edu/grant/GrantGinoHofmann_AMJ2011.pdf
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (6th edition). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.
Riggio Ph.D, R.E. (2011, October 20). Why Extraversion May Not Matter. Cutting-Edge Leadership.
Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201110/why-extraversion-may-not-matter
Rubenzer, S., & Faschingbauer, T. 2004. Personality, character, & leadership in the White House: Psychologists assess the presidents. Washington DC: Brassey’s.
Young, T. J., & French, L. A. 1996. Judged political extroversion-introversion and perceived competence of U.S. Presidents. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 83:578.