Posted on Jan 29, 2016
Is there a certain personality type that best lends itself toward leadership?
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Within the civilian world there has been a push to self identify personality types/traits as a means of determining leadership/role potential, as an example the Myers-Briggs Typology Indicator (MBTI).
In a nutshell, this tool breaks the population down into 16 personality types. http://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
Which type seems best suited to lead?
In a nutshell, this tool breaks the population down into 16 personality types. http://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
Which type seems best suited to lead?
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Character
Leadership Character
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 11
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The MBTI is not a test for leadership tendencies. The MBTI tests what personality type you possess and consequently what types of situations and environments you thrive in. It is designed to show you and your coworkers what environments they prefer, as well as how people interact and solve problems. This test should never be used in any sort of determination of leadership abilities, or for that matter, ability to work in a team. That is exactly what this test is not supposed to do. You should never judge a person with an MBTI test result -personality type is not motivation, not behavior, not mood, not energy level not work ethic, and not moral judgement ability. There are many tests out there to evaluate leadership ability -this is not one of them.
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CPL Brendan Hayes
MSgt Michael Smith Exactly! This is something that I have struggled with greatly. It seems like the recent push is just another way to try to cut corners on the decision making process. Almost as if it is allowing mid to upper management a way to not think about it. Just hand out the test and wait for the results.
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In my 34 years of serving I went through numerous personality tests CPL Brendan Hayes. They all attempt to find out which "group" you and other test takers fit into. The basic problem is that we are each unique in many ways and grouping us into somebodies preconceived concept may be interesting but doesn't shed a lot of light.
The best test for leadership is crisis.
The best test for leadership is crisis.
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Capt (Join to see)
And have you EVER seen a category for "you are an idiot that should never lead anyone?"
Not calling anyone an idiot. But surely someone who has taken these things does fit that category.
Not calling anyone an idiot. But surely someone who has taken these things does fit that category.
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We must understand that just like there are different personalities, there are also different roles.
How you lead a Team is different than how you lead a Squad, or a Platoon, or a Battalion. The approaches are different, and the personality you "present" can be different can be different as well. When you are dealing with 4 people, being a counselor or teacher is great. When you are dealing with 12-40 Inspector & Supervisor works well. When you have 1000 or 10000 we jump to Mastermind or Field Marshal.
However, these are merely "dominant" traits. Just because it is the most prevalent doesn't mean we don't possess the others as well, and can't use them as needed. It's all "scalable."
How you lead a Team is different than how you lead a Squad, or a Platoon, or a Battalion. The approaches are different, and the personality you "present" can be different can be different as well. When you are dealing with 4 people, being a counselor or teacher is great. When you are dealing with 12-40 Inspector & Supervisor works well. When you have 1000 or 10000 we jump to Mastermind or Field Marshal.
However, these are merely "dominant" traits. Just because it is the most prevalent doesn't mean we don't possess the others as well, and can't use them as needed. It's all "scalable."
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Capt (Join to see)
I would also that some people respond better to different leadership styles. What works with one may fail with the next.
For me, I think the ability to recognize what will work best is a very valuable skill.
For me, I think the ability to recognize what will work best is a very valuable skill.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Capt (Join to see) - Absolutely. Leadership is as much Science as it is Art in a lot of ways. It's Technique that must be Applied. You can provide all the Tools that the greats had, but that doesn't mean you will be able to recreate the same works.
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