Big Five Personality Traits
There is no one perfect "type" of leader. While a sales team might do well with a flamboyant, loud leader, an accounting group might do much better with a detail-oriented, careful leader. There's a perfect fit for every person. The key, though, is to very objectively and accurately figure out what your strengths and challenges are, so you can then find how to fit those best with the industry you're interested in.So the most important step in leadership and management is for the person taking on those responsibilities to perform an in-depth self analysis of their base line way of looking at the world.
The way most books and programs suggest you do this is to sit down with the following chart of the Big Five Personality Traits. These traits have been researched and investigated for over fifty years, and impressive correlations have been made during that time period.
I suggest before you read any further that you go and take the free online Big Five Personality Test. That way you take the test with any bias about what it's testing, and see what your results are!
Once you have your results, read on!
| Openness | Low <-- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --> High |
| Conscientiousness | Low <-- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --> High |
| Extraversion | Low <-- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --> High |
| Smooth Waters | Low <-- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --> High |
| Emotional Stability | Low <-- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --> High |
There's no "right" or "wrong" answer here. Every value is a strength in a certain situation. Also, many people change over time. No value is set in stone! People who were extraverted in their early 20s can easily become introverted in their 60s. This is about you right now, in this moment in time.
The traits are:
Openness
Openness is about trying new ideas, leaving your comfort zone, taking risks, and going to strange places. How do you feel when you're tossed into an unknown situation? Is this thrilling or unsettling?
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Low Openness documents existing way and follows it buys same product / car; familiar with it has a way things should be done Job Strength: Perfect for jobs where by-the-book is critical - - medical field - nuclear energy |
High Openness explores new ways of getting a project done tries wildly new products / cars tries opposing ways of doing things Job Strength: Shines where leaps of faith are necessary - - selling an entirely new product - developing a never-before-seen technology |
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is about attention to detail, following a set plan, and sticking with a path. It is about living an ordered life. Where openness is about known vs unknown, conscientiousness is about actively following the steps vs winging it.
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Low Conscientiousness Happy to change the plan if the whim strikes Tasks will be done when they fit in Home / workspace is fairly cluttered Job Strength: Perfect for jobs where flexibility is key - - artist - crafter |
High Conscientiousness The current plan is set and needs to be followed Every step matters and is paid close attention to Every item in its place (and labeled!) Job Strength: Shines where accuracy and discipline matter - - taxes / finance / investing - military training |
Extraversion
Extraversion is how you relate to groups of people. Some people are energized and pumped up when out with a crowd. Others feel drained by the experience and need to retreat to solitude after a period of time.
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Low Extraversion Happiest alone or with one or two close friends Uncomfortable in social settings At parties, primarily talk to the people already known Job Strength: Perfect for jobs where things are quiet - - working at home - park ranger |
High Extraversion Loves to go out to parties and social events Feels a surge of positive energy when entering a crowded room Loves meeting new people and mingling at parties Job Strength: Shines where crowds are around - - bartender - tour guide in a busy city - musician |
Smooth Waters
Smooth Waters is how much you are concerned with "everyone getting along." For example some people will rather lie / fudge the truth instead of upsetting a person; others would rather "tell it like it is" and let the chips fall where they may. Both sides are a strength in different situations! I am open for ideas on what to name this. Many books call this trait "agreeableness" but that implies if you are on the low end that you are "disagreeable" which has negative connotations. I am seeking a better term.
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Low Smooth Waters Tells it straight I'm the way I am and others should learn to cope I do things my way Job Strength: Perfect for jobs where plain talking are key - - personal coach - exercise trainer |
High Smooth Waters Says 'yes' to keep the mood quiet Puts other peoples' interests first Keeps quiet about any issues she has so as not to bother others Job Strength: Shines where quiet calm are necessary - - customer service - spiritual guide / minister |
Emotional Stability
Emotional Stability is all about how even keeled your emotions are. Do they tend to delve into deep depressions? Can stress set you off easily? Or are you more even keel, generally free from worry?
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Low Emotional Stability Stress can hit quickly and flare to high levels Quiet time gives me time to worry I easily get depressed Job Strength: A good fit for jobs with few hurdles or stressors* - * note - any job *can* be stressful, the key is finding a calm group! - webmaster at a large, stable company - internal graphic designer at a large, stable company - Champagne bottle rotator |
High Emotional Stability Hurdles and challenges do not cause any issues Quiet time is peaceful and serene I rarely get depressed Job Strength: Perfect for jobs where challenges are frequent and need to be handled with calm serenity - - working with abused women - working with troubled kids - police dispatcher |
In order to determine where you fall on these scales, take my free online test!
Big Five Personality Test
Once you've determined your test results and read up on your traits, it's time to see which leadership style best matches your traits!
Leadership Styles
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